Quarters system defines Seattle U
Issue: 5/28/08 Section: Opinion
The debate surrounding a switch from a quarter to semester based academic system is traditionally a contentious issue. For decades, universities across the nation have grappled between the two schedules, and while the national consensus has trended toward the semester system, universities, particularly on the West Coast, have remained steadfast in their commitment to the quarter system.
Recently, the question of whether or not to entertain the idea of a switch from quarters to semesters at Seattle University has presented itself in the form of an increasingly vocal voice of opposition to the current academic schedule. While benefits present themselves for both scheduling options, the merits of the quarter system outnumber and outweigh those of semesters, and ultimately provide the premier academic experience that Seattle University strives to deliver.
Proponents of the semester based calendar claim that the 15-week class schedule afforded by semesters allows for more in-depth examination of topics than the 10-week schedules provided by quarters. This, arguably, allows students to have more time to research and prepare for projects, homework and exams, while providing students the flexibility of pacing their studies. Additionally, advocates for the semester system argue that there is less tendency to fragment courses over two semesters than over multiple quarters, it allows for greater ease in the transfer of credits from one institution to another and facilitates greater interaction between students, their peers and faculty. Finally, opponents of the quarter system state that graduates of a quarter based institutions are at a severe disadvantage in the job and internship market as a result of finishing spring quarter in early June, rather than in early to mid-May as do students from semester based calendars.
While the fact that longer exposure to subject matter provides the opportunity for subjects to be explored more fully, it remains debatable as to whether or not longer class schedules results in a higher level of retention of the subject matter. One important component of quarter calendars lies in the fact that it becomes extremely difficult to forget subject matter that was presented, at the most, 10 weeks ago.
Recently, the question of whether or not to entertain the idea of a switch from quarters to semesters at Seattle University has presented itself in the form of an increasingly vocal voice of opposition to the current academic schedule. While benefits present themselves for both scheduling options, the merits of the quarter system outnumber and outweigh those of semesters, and ultimately provide the premier academic experience that Seattle University strives to deliver.
Proponents of the semester based calendar claim that the 15-week class schedule afforded by semesters allows for more in-depth examination of topics than the 10-week schedules provided by quarters. This, arguably, allows students to have more time to research and prepare for projects, homework and exams, while providing students the flexibility of pacing their studies. Additionally, advocates for the semester system argue that there is less tendency to fragment courses over two semesters than over multiple quarters, it allows for greater ease in the transfer of credits from one institution to another and facilitates greater interaction between students, their peers and faculty. Finally, opponents of the quarter system state that graduates of a quarter based institutions are at a severe disadvantage in the job and internship market as a result of finishing spring quarter in early June, rather than in early to mid-May as do students from semester based calendars.
While the fact that longer exposure to subject matter provides the opportunity for subjects to be explored more fully, it remains debatable as to whether or not longer class schedules results in a higher level of retention of the subject matter. One important component of quarter calendars lies in the fact that it becomes extremely difficult to forget subject matter that was presented, at the most, 10 weeks ago.
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Nina Arens
posted 5/30/08 @ 3:14 PM PST
I transferred from a semester system into Seattle University, and I'll say it was definitely a good choice. At Loyola University of Chicago, I took up to five classes a semester (the highest number then possible, which included some lengthy science labs), and I was still bored. (Continued…)
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