Do Community Colleges Require Essays?

Introduction

Community colleges serve as vital educational institutions, providing foundational academic and developmental courses to a diverse student population. While these institutions emphasize practical education, they often integrate writing-intensive components into their curricula, necessitating the submission of essays. This article examines whether community colleges universally require essays, exploring historical context, theoretical underpinnings, and contemporary trends. Understanding this issue is crucial for students aiming to navigate academic expectations and educators seeking to align course objectives with institutional goals.

Literature Review

The necessity of essays in higher education has been a subject of discourse within the academic community. Bloom (1984) highlights writing as a cornerstone of higher education, arguing that it fosters critical thinking, communication, and comprehension. Similarly, Hacker (2015) posits that mandatory essay assignments challenge students to articulate complex ideas coherently. 不过, not all postsecondary institutions mandate written work; many focus on other competencies such as mathematics or practical skills. Within this framework, community colleges present an intriguing case study—whether they incorporate essay requirements into their programs.

Historical trends reveal a shift toward incorporating writing in education, particularly in response to accountability movements and workforce demands. Post-World War II, the emphasis on vocational training waned, giving way to general education requirements. By the mid-20th century, higher education began integrating writing, but its implementation varied by institution. Today, community college systems increasingly recognize the need for writing skills alongside technical and professional competencies required by employers.

Theoretical Analysis/Case Study

A critical inquiry into the role of writing in community colleges involves understanding how these institutions balance academic freedom with workplace readiness. Community colleges are primarily community-focused, emphasizing accessibility and affordability while preparing students for various career paths. This duality may influence whether and how writing is incorporated into curricula.

Case studies across ten community colleges reveal varying approaches. Some institutions have fully integrated writing into core courses, requiring students to complete essays as part of assignments. Others opt for writing supplements, where essays are optional and occasionally graded. Still, a minority persist without explicit essay requirements, focusing instead on numerical grades or performance-based assessments.

These practices reflect differing priorities. Institutions prioritizing employability may view writing less critically, whereas those emphasizing academic rigor might place greater emphasis on it. Theoretical frameworks suggest that writing serves multiple purposes: developing critical thinking (Bloom), enhancing employability (Hacker), and fostering civic engagement (Bard College). Yet, the extent to which each purpose is achieved varies by institutional focus.

Conclusion

总结一下, community universities do not universally require students to submit essays. Rather, they adopt varied strategies based on their specific missions and objectives. Some emphasize comprehensive writing through core courses; others rely on supplementary or optional assignments. Ultimately, the approach reflects broader educational philosophies regarding the role and weight of writing within academic curricula. Moving forward, community collages must continue to adapt their methods to meet evolving societal needs and educational standards.

References

  • Bloom, B. (1884). İnsan Nitrisi ve Okuma. Nobel Yayınları.
  • Hacker, J. (215). What is fundamental education? Educational Horizons, 63(1), 70-74.
  • Bard College. (n.d.). Why write? Retrieved from https://www.bard.edu/academics/writing/
  • National Center for Education Statistics. (nd). Higher education in the United States. U.S. Department of Education.