How this university helps computer science majors 'sharpen uniquely human skills'

Emily Rappleye -

Boston-based Northeastern University has one graduation requirement it hopes will "robot-proof" computer science majors, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Since 2016, Northeastern has required all students seeking computer science degrees to complete a theater and improv class, called "The Eloquent Presenter," to graduate. About 800 students have taken the class to date, according to WSJ.

The class covers public speaking, lecturing nontechnical topics, speaking gibberish, acting like a human Rubik's cube, telling jokes and more. The idea is to help computer science majors sharpen "uniquely human" skills like empathy, creativity, communication and teamwork, university president Joseph Aoun, PhD, told WSJ.

Past students told the publication the skills have come in handy for presentations, something many software engineers have to do on the job, and have taught them how to communicate more effectively, even on topics they may not have expertise in.

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