Assignment:
The University of Pittsburgh does not accept grades below C- in major field courses or in Math 0029, Math 0030, English 0150 or English 0200. The university's position is that, in order to maintain its standards and reputation, it will require at least average work in such courses. Another school of thought is that since students pay the tuition, they have a right to a D and should not be required to retake such courses unless they choose. At the heart of this controversy is whether or not institutions should be able to set standards or individuals should be able to determine their own standards. What do you think?
University Grade Policy
The decision to go to college is an investment in one's own future. We invest our money in the college or university of our choice, and the institution, in turn, provides us with the education necessary to properly prepare us for our career field. In choosing the University of Pittsburgh, you are investing your money in them so that they may provide you with the instruction and knowledge that you will need for a successful life and career. The University will then award you a degree, which is their way of guaranteeing that you were properly educated and trained in your field of choice. The University cannot, in good conscience, guarantee the abilities and knowledge of a student that has performed at a below average level in the courses essential to their major (below average being a grade under a C-).
While I understand the argument by my opponents, stating that they are investing their money and should be able to receive a below average grade since they are the ones paying for the education, I still believe that the University should retain the right to impose grading standards. Suppose there were no grading standards at all? The University would be awarding degrees to unqualified students. These students would enter the workforce unprepared, and they would ultimately fail. As employers began noticing that students from the University were lacking proper training in their field, a degree from the University of Pittsburgh would become useless. No one wants to hire someone from a school with a reputation of producing graduates that are not properly trained.
The University of Pittsburgh's policy of not accepting grades below a C- in major field courses gives the University confidence in knowing that their students will at least have an average understanding of the material necessary for their major. The courses presented in a major usually follow in a sequence. If a student does not understand the material for one class, they typically will have difficulty in the classes that follow. This is why the University of Pittsburgh has implemented a grading standard.
The University's grading standard also includes the courses Math 0029 and 0030, and English 0150 and 0200. Math and English form the basis of almost all education. These basic tools from math and English are used in virtually all majors. In any business or liberal arts field, the writing skills taught in these English classes are essential to success not only in college, but in your career as well. This also holds true for math. In any business or science field, the math skills taught in Math 0029 and 0030 are necessary for work done in these fields. It is also important to understand that even in a liberal arts field the principles of math, especially logical reasoning skills, are essential. And for any science field, English is important for the writing skills needed to properly present scientific information. I also agree with the University that elective courses should not be included in the grading standard. These classes do not guarantee success in one's field; they are intended only to provide a general education and to make the students more well rounded. It is not necessary for business or engineering students, for example, to have an above average knowledge of the history of Rome. This is why I agree that University should not include elective courses in its grading standard. I think it is clear why the University of Pittsburgh must maintain its standards and reputation by imposing a grading standard in major courses and in the core math and English courses. By doing this, the University is guaranteeing that its students will have at least sufficient knowledge in their field of choice. Without these standards a degree from the University of Pittsburgh would be worth nothing.
This is a conscientious paper that maintains a reasonable tone and sticks to the point. However, the argument has some problems. Let's look at the paper in some detail
The first paragraph is problematic because it contains so many generalities. Most of those generalities contain controversial assumptions. To cite just one example, the word "guarantee" is troublesome because the university can't "guarantee" the abilities and knowledge of any student, regardless of the grade. It is usually good to open an argument by finding some point of agreement with the opponents. It is unhelpful to let philosophical differences surface immediately.
In the second paragraph, the writer attempts to address his opponents' concerns. That's a good idea, but he falls into the "strawman" fallacy. Note the question: "Suppose there were no grading standards at all?" That question is unhelpful. The opponents' do not suggest abandoning grading standards altogether. The issue is the C- policy in a few classes. The remainder of the paragraph--though stating obvious truths--does not say anything with which the opponents would disagree. In the end, this paragraph does not address the opponents' concerns.
Generally, this writer makes the assumption that the University should produce competent, marketable employees. OK. But that assumption about the university's purpose needs to be defended. This writer's opponents have a different philosophy.
Finally, even though this writer's mechanics are pretty solid, he has lots of problems with noun/pronoun disagreement, especially near the beginning. "The University of Pittsburgh" is singular, so it should be followed up with singular pronouns.
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