Robert Cole's Theory Of Liberal Education
In this short essay, Robert Coles (1995) reveals his pivotal encounter with a student whose personal story of discrimination and unwanted propositions from fellow classmates challenged his perspective on both his current teaching methods and Harvard’s educational mission. Seated in a liberal educational philosophy, he acknowledged he did little to address the importance of connecting thinking to action in his own practice. Starting the essay with a prophetic warning from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Coles (1995) foreshadows his point that although a liberal educational philosophy may nurture intellect, it does little to foster character development when the link between knowledge and action is ignored. Moreover, through the philosophy student’s observance …show more content…
However, critics maintain liberal education merely prepares for life after graduation (Lindeman, 1961/1995). To counter this deficiency, Lindeman (1961/1995) declares true learning requires a deeper reflection on meaning and purpose and the inclusion of the adult student’s experience to realize higher levels of knowledge. Without exercising this essential component, critics such as Dewey contend traditional learning is passive and uniform (Elias & Merriam, 2005). Even Mortimer Adler, a proponent of liberal education, argues liberal education must develop intellect through coaching, practice, and discussion (Elias & Merriam, 2005). What appears to be missing in Coles’, and in his viewpoint, the general mindset of liberal universities, is both Lindeman’s and Adler’s proposal to move information into …show more content…
The student retorts, “we talk about what’s true, what’s important, what’s good. Well, how do you teach people to be good?” (p. 2). She also wonders whether Emerson would have “any ideas about what to do about what was worrying him-or did he think he’d done enough because he’s spelled the problem out to the Harvard professors?” (p. 2). When activities that promote both practical wisdom and connect information to application are missing, liberal education only makes the assumption students know how to bridge the disparity between thinking and doing. It does little to nurture its
Summary Of David Foster Wallace This Is Water
671 Words | 3 PagesWallace concludes his speech by claiming the real value of education is not knowledge, but being aware of what is real. Wallace’s main claim about a liberal arts education, that it exists to teach students how to think, is incorrect; however, he is correct to say that the same experience can mean two different things to two different people, and that learning how to think is being aware of how to exercise control over how you
Summary Of The New Liberal Arts By Sanford J. Ungar
396 Words | 2 PagesThe New Liberal Arts- Summary In the article, “The New Liberal Arts,” author Sanford J. Ungar addresses several misperceptions that people have about the importance of Liberal arts education in today’s world. In doing so, he highlights seven misperceptions that people have and then provides a logical correction to them. In his article, the first misperception claims that people should focus more on career education rather than liberal arts education. On contrary, Ungar argues that the society today, demand individual’s who have preparation in all fields, which liberal arts provide.
Liberal Education In William Cronon's Only Connect
252 Words | 2 PagesIn William Cronon’s essay “Only Connect” he poses the question to his audience on trying to deduce the concept of liberal education. Cronon makes it clear within his essay that a liberal education goes beyond earning a degree and fulfilling credit hours; to him there's something more deeper in a liberal education that helps shape an individual’s life. He discusses some historical background information on where liberal education came from by citing how the word “liberal” developed throughout time and he even mentions how the liberal arts curriculum developed. Throughout, the majority of the essay Cronon makes a valid argument on what the purpose of a liberal education does for individuals pursuing college. In his opinion, he believes a liberal
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Analysis
150 Words | 1 PagesKareem Abdul-Jabbar: Ignorance Vs. Reason in the War on Education Kareem Abdul-Jabber writes an article explaining the attack on education and the serious problems in the classroom involving teachers and students. Abdul-Jabbar describes how students only hold on to one perspective; students should explore different perspectives on topics, and question education’s opinions on practical matters. Republicans, Democrats, and non-partisan discuss this controversy over education.
William Cornon Only Connect Summary
1099 Words | 5 PagesSome that I found myself being able to relate in past and present experiences. Cronon implies that, “… Liberal education in particular is about nurturing human freedom- helping young people discover and hone their talents- and this too sounds as if education exists for the benefit of individuals” (Cronon 5). As at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College, I can relate to this quote.
Rhetorical Analysis Of David Foster Wallace's Commencement Speech
1196 Words | 5 PagesIn his commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005, David Foster Wallace was tasked with the responsibility of imparting some wisdom onto the graduating class. Wallace’s message to a room of full soon-to-be college graduates at the precipice of the of their impending true adulthood, he offers them a message that cuts through the mess and concisely delivers a message that many would ironically overlook, which is for the students to realize that at times, imperative life lessons are not only the ones that they cannot conceive or believe, but the ones that are obvious but hard to acknowledge let alone discuss. The lesson in this is that no matter how instinctive that cynicism is, it is imperative that people must try to more honest and open
Charles Murray Are Too Many People Going To College Summary
786 Words | 4 PagesIn Charles Murray’s essay “Are Too Many People Going to College,” he believes that the concept of college has changed over the years. According to him, a four-year college is no longer as necessary as it was when it was first created because most jobs requires more on job training. He also adds to his reasoning by mentioning that because of the advancement of internet, physical libraries and the physical proximity of student and teachers is less important. Because of the changes he noticed he believes that people should go to college but not for liberal education. He makes the claim that the basic core knowledge of liberal education should be learned in elementary and middle school and that only people with high academic abilities should be encouraged to go to college.
Ethos In This Is Water By David Foster Wallace
870 Words | 4 PagesDavid Foster Wallace is an American writer. He spoke at the Kenyon Commencement Address in 2005, where he gave a speech to the graduating class of the year. David tells the graduates of Kenyon College what the true meaning of a liberal arts degree is, and how they should go about finding it. David Foster Wallace’s appeals to credibility, emotion and logical reasoning in his speech – “This Is Water” – to strengthen the idea that the meaning of education is learning how and what to think, independently.
College At Risk Summary
545 Words | 3 PagesGoing to college for many students is just a normal part of life. It is what will enable them to get an education that eventually will lead to get a well-paid job and the resources and the status to live a comfortable life. But for college professor, Andrew Delbanco, the American college has a higher purpose. In the article “College at Risk”, Delbanco states that colleges should be promoting critical thinking among students, through knowledge of the past and the interaction with each other; as well as, help them discover their talents and passions and figure out what they want to do in life. This type of education is called liberal arts and for Delbanco, it represents the ideal education.
Summary Of David Foster Wallace's Kenyon Commencement Speech
908 Words | 4 PagesIn David Foster Wallace’s “ Kenyon Commencement Speech,” he discusses the importance of liberal arts education in “teaching you how to think” (Wallace, 199). He mentions how education is beyond the knowledge we learn, but about simple awareness will impact the choices we make for better or worse. The real value of education cannot be found in a career (you may or may not be fired from), but it can be found in the way you view things through a different perspective and by considering how other factors can contribute to everyday life. This new approach in thinking will allow us to appreciate our lives and overcome our inner “default setting” towards the world (Wallace, 199). I agree with Wallace’s argument because the purpose of higher education should not be about having career-specific skills and obtaining a degree, but about intellectual and personal growth will help us survive in the real world.
William Cronon Only Connect Analysis
1033 Words | 5 PagesEver wanted to throw down that textbook and read something enjoyable for once? Well, go ahead! Chunk that dull textbook out a window and pick up a comic; it will be more beneficial to your education than you think. The skills and values that liberally educated people should posses can vary from different views, yet the list of ten qualities that William Cronon created in his article, “’Only Connect…’ The Goals of a Liberal Education”(1998), is an inspirational goal for the liberally educated. Cronon’s list of qualities includes solving problems and puzzles, empowering others, and understanding how to get stuff done in the world.
Analysis Of Street Smarts By Gerald Graff
261 Words | 2 PagesGerald Graff’s argument on how educational systems are missing a great opportunity to tap into “street smarts” and focus them into a path of academic work is indeed convincing (Graff, 198). After all, anyone who’s been through the American educational system knows odds are often stacked against the “street smarts.” This is especially true in english classes, where one is often required to read boring and somewhat heartless books like, 1984, Beowulf, and the majority of Shakespeare’s classics. This is not to say these books are bad or shouldn’t be read during one’s schooling years, instead, the problem is one of apathy. For instance, in my high school years I never even remotely liked to read books Othello, but I loved to read magazines and
Martin Luther King Education Analysis
749 Words | 3 PagesThe diversity of student backgrounds, abilities and learning styles makes each person unique in the way he or she reacts to information. The intersection of diverse student backgrounds and active learning needs a comfortable, positive environment in which to take root. Dr. King continues by explaining, “Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.” From back then to today’s society, kids are failing because they lack those morals that they need to succeed.
John Dewey Democracy And Education Summary
929 Words | 4 PagesBook Review John Dewey Democracy and Education Democracy and Education was published by John Dewey in 1916. The original title of the book was to be Introduction to the Philosophy of Education but was changed due to the political pressure of the World War. The original title was however retained as the subtitle of the book. The book was written to shed light on the fundamental educational, socio political consequences of the world war, civil war, industrialization, migration etc. Born in 1859 in a largely agrarian American society, Dewey saw the massive changes that American society.
Importance Of Curriculum Models
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