Laurie Patton spoke about a few short stories and dialogical traditions that can give us seeds in thought for the challenges in our time.
Patton believes we can find in their narrative lessons of restlessness and curiosity which should define learning today. More specifically, she believes that a liberal education should make one permanently restless and uncomfortable, yet curious. The restlessness should stem from a desire to always learn more. From a desire to keep expanding one's knowledge of one’s own expertise, a sort of vertical growth in one’s knowledge. The curiosity (and accompanying uncomfortableness) should stem from a desire to learn more outside of one’s expertise. Here Patton gave two stories about students who had been liberally
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the modern world, but history still affects the way people think today due to the close-minded nature of uninformed citizens. In Castro’s “On Becoming Educated,” she accepts the fact that ignorance is overwhelmingly prevalent in today’s society; however, she works to fill “the academy’s blind spots” (Castro 270) by pushing others to recognize all sides of an argument and be curious about historical events and changes that affect them. Throughout her many journeys with literature courses, Castro found the choice of books to be rather narrow-minded. In retrospect, she “[realizes] that these small incidents were negotiations of power” (Castro 268), and conserving socially accepted positions on issue was more important to certain professors than challenging those beliefs. Historically, the process of shying away from debating and acknowledging other’s opinions has always been a norm. Castro acknowledges this connection between present day life and the past by broadening her perspective through words and generally referring to the what has already occurred in history. Overtime and with teaching experience, Castro has “learned not to back down” (Castro 269) when presented with opposing opinions. In regards to welcoming students with different
A Liberal Education? Not According to Cronon. A Critical and Rhetorical Analysis of Cronon's Only Connect.
In Fareed Zakaria’s book in Defense of a Liberal Education, he debates that liberal education is more underestimated than it should be in today’s society. Zakaria presents an argument explaining the liberal strategies used to benefit an individual not only in a classroom but developing skills to help deliver intelligence for the real world. Zakaria counters the argument that liberal education is a frivolous decision made by today’s youth with little concern, for futuristic opportunities. Zakaria defends liberal education through explanations to excel by gaining knowledge, learning to think, and building leadership.
Higher education in modern day America has become a debated topic, with some saying that it is not worth it due to the debt it leaves upon leaving, and some saying that it opens opportunities that surpass the results of obtaining one. A resulting view from this conflict is that certain forms of education aren’t as beneficial as others. A primary example of one of these less valuable educations is the study of Liberal Arts. Author Sanford J. Ungar discredits this view in his article The New Liberal Arts where he discusses the many misconceptions that have come to form this interpretation. To convince the reader of these misunderstandings, Ungar uses the appeals of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, with heavy appeal to logic (Logos) over the other two. Each misconception uses and focuses on more of one appeal than others, and by doing this, he is very successful in influencing the reader into considering that these misunderstandings are present.
Accountant, Robert T. Perry, in his argument essay, “On ‘Real Education’,” addresses that we are exhausting our time attempting to teach an excessively large number of individuals. Perry’s purpose is to explain that ten to twenty percent of those enlisted in bachelor degree projects particularly need to really be
Edmundson, Mark. "On the Uses of a Liberal Education." From Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Text and a Reader. Ed. Stuart Greene and April Lidindsky. Bedford/ St. Martin’s: New York, 2008. 322-337. Print
Upon meeting my 2nd-grade teacher she asked if I had any questions. “Yes, “ I replied, “I want to know who you are voting for in the upcoming election because that will let me know if I want to learn what you are teaching.” I was fortunate in that particular environment, which invited and cultivated curiosity. However, as my early transcript reflects, my quiet nature yet outspoken opinions didn’t always go over so well. I have gotten very good at learning the incredible value of understanding thinking that is contrary to my own. This is reflected in two years of academic success as a college
Mr. Zimmer is referred over from sick call for complaints of restless legs syndrome. Reports initial diagnosis approximately 15 years ago treated with multiple different medications over the years to help manage his symptoms. Stopped taking medications in approximately 2012 as he reports he was able to get more exercise which relieved his symptoms. Now that he is at a higher level of custody, he is not able to get out as much and his symptoms are increasing. Would like to talk about possibly restarting medication. Reports the best relief in the past with gabapentin had side effect of ringing in the ears with Dilantin. Current symptoms are itching, burning, and feeling the need to frequently move
Wouldn’t it be a dull place if there weren’t differences in the world around us? Education is one of those areas where new perspectives can be obtained. Sometimes the focus is only on one area and no there is not a wide variety of information, just a select few viewpoints. Having a single viewpoint doesn’t leave too much to learn. LLV teaches how variety; whether from good open discussions, books, film, or articles can open new doors. It can also teach that new diverse opionions are the window to life and stepping stones to education. Books, film, articles, and even an array of personalities aid in the learning process. Diversity is important for life, learning, and vocation. “Only Connect” by William Cronin, Christopher
In “‘Well Duh!’ – Ten Obvious Truths That We Shouldn’t Be Ignoring”, Alfie Kohn brings attention to the controversies of education and provides examples of his slant on educational practices and policies. The focus of discussion will be on three of the authors’ examples: “knowing a lot of facts doesn’t mean you’re smart”, “students are more likely to learn what they find interesting”, and “students are more likely to succeed in a place where they feel known and cared about.” These examples, from a simplistic standpoint, offer valid educational benefits but, the author fails to account for alternative methods that do not entirely disregard the current educational practices and policies.
Chief Justice Charles Evan Hughes states that “learning is not [liberal education’s] aim so much as intelligence served by learning.” I propose this statement can be broken down into two parts, one being the aim of liberal education is not learning and the other being human intelligence is in fact served by learning. I also find this statement to be strongly compatible with my ideology towards the college education system in America.
In the poem, “Insomnia” by Elizabeth Bishop, the speaker discusses her feelings and experiences of restlessness and loneliness during the night, instigated by her lover’s unrequited love. The poem explores the parallel between the speaker and the moon through their shared dissatisfaction with themselves and the speaker’s aspiration to achieve the strength of the moon. In the poem, the speaker recognizes her paralysis in her feminine role and conveys her desire to escape from the realities of a patriarchal society toward an inverted fantastical reality.
The converted Newman had promoted how attaining a liberal education was the means for perfecting the intellect one is capable. He has insisted on the importance of reason and
According to American poet Ezra Pound, “Real education must ultimately be limited to men who insist on knowing. The rest is mere sheep herding.” I must be honest when expressing my interest in society’s development portrayed by my academic, leadership, and service. Throughout my college career, I have found myself finding strategy where other students find struggle, creativity where other students find
Delbanco understands the importance of a liberal education, where qualities such as wisdom, creativity, humility, and ethical insight are major topics. According to Delbanco there are several benefits in a liberal education. He feels that it deeply contributes to students' happiness since it involves learning more about life in general, while letting them gain skills and abilities which will help them achieve a life-long success, not only from a personal point of view but also from a professional one. Blanco believes in liberal education because it gives students the chance to enjoy life, increase pleasure and pursue happiness through knowledge, while becoming problem solvers. Students are satisfied because liberal education gives them a broader view of life and they learn to think critically.