The failure of our educational system to produce as many physicists as are required for the national welfare challenges us to re-examine our introductory college physics courses. If one accepts the tenable idea that physics is a research activity, rather than a body of knowledge, he finds much to criticize in the aims and methods of these courses. Some changes which might help to remedy the faults of the traditional course are proposed and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Greater emphasis on the encouragement of independent thought is urged.