As University students, we have all heard of the controversy regarding the CASP Study Unit. This unit has suddenly creeped up on first year undergraduate students seemingly out of nowhere. Having spoken to various students myself, it is evident that the pushback against the unit is valid. Yet perhaps, overblown?
Before making any uninformed judgements, let’s see how the University justifies the implementation of this unit at a compulsory level. In an informational article on their website, the University describes the unit as a way for students to learn how to think critically and develop communicative skills. The idea, from what I gather, is to bring forth certain traits and skills that are beneficial to all students. In and of itself, this is not a bad idea. Teaching students to think critically is fundamental. And there was an absence of this type of teaching in the courses that already exist.
However, the anger and annoyance felt by students was not aimed exactly at the unit itself but at the fact that it seemed to completely come out of nowhere. Students during exam period got emails regarding the unit, the venue and that it is compulsory. While they did not even know they would have this unit when they applied for their undergraduate course. To add to the ridiculous nature of the situation, the units -which will have 8 ECTs- will not affect the course’s grade and the student’s ability to graduate. Therefore essentially, this unit is mandatory yet carries no official weighting as of this moment.
In essence, the University has introduced a unit that does give importance to an aspect of research and learning that has been missing for some time. Nevertheless, the manner in which they just introduced this, out of the blue, has brought criticism. A petition signed by over 1,000 students to block the unit is currently amassing signatures.
Humbly, I must say that this unit should make an entrance into the curriculum. Regardless, making it mandatory for everyone and not giving it any weighting is not reasonable. At best students will attend but largely ignore this unit as it bears no meaning on their ability to graduate. It would be more effective to make it an optional unit with an ability to affect the student’s grades. That way those who choose it have an obligation to put effort in, rather than how it is now. The University has shown an embarrassing lack of foresight in this situation and has rendered the unit counterproductive.
This article was written by an independent writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.