Instead of focusing on whether the CLA language requirement is “too much” or “too little” I would rather bring your attention to what I think the main issue is in the CLA language requirement debate: is the University offering enough language courses for students to be able to fulfill the requirement?
American Sign Language, which is offered only through the Educational Psychology department, is the language that I have chosen to study. However, quarter after quarter I am unable to enroll in the class because there is only one course offered per quarter, with a capacity of 25 to 30 students.
Unarguably, there needs to be more classes offered through day school or extension. What is most interesting but nevertheless disconcerting about the situation is that I am not alone in my frustrations with the inability to access these classes. After overhearing even a deaf student’s concerns about a demand for more interpreters (which logically forms an indirect request for more students in sign language courses) it became evident to me that this is a larger-scale problem.
I would hope that the Educational Psychology department would field this concern and barring any unforeseen departmental policies or limitations (lack of funding or professors, etc.) unbeknownst to me, offer more sign language courses to ensure that students can fulfill their CLA language requirement.
Kelly Bekker is a sophomore studying philosophy in CLA.