Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Summary "On the Uses of a Liberal Education"

Mark Edmundson’s essay, On the Uses of a Liberal education, raises the problem of consumerism leaking into the education system.  He begins by painting us a picture of his classroom on a day he doesn’t particularly enjoy, evaluation day. He states that he often gets good reviews; just not the type he wants.  Certain words, such as “interesting” and “enjoyed,” are not the reviews he is looking for.  Instead, he wants the student to say that his class has changed them. It’s through the evaluations he receives that he see’s education changing.  Edmundson believes that universities are now devoted to consumerism and the entertainment of their students.  The consumerism aspects of college campuses is shown when funds go to building new dorms, improving student lounges, and stocking the gym with the newest name brand machines.  No longer are colleges appealing to their potential consumers, also known as students, through what they can learn, but through the superficial things they will have- things that really won’t affect their learning.  The other issue that is startling to Edmundson is how students expect to be entertained in classes in order for them to be good classes.  Students expect teacher to be enjoyable and make the subject matter enjoyable also.  Instead Edmundson thinks a good class is one that challenges the students or ultimately changes them.  More specifically in his class he wants “them to measure themselves against what they’ve read.” 

Another main topic in his essay is the lack of passion and emotion shown in students.  He brings this about when he mentions one particular student whom he admired, Joon Lee.  Joon Lee stood out from the crowd, which has become engulfed in this idea of consumer culturalism.   The vast majority of people, to Edmundson, are desperate to fit in, to wear the right thing, and blend in with the crowd.  No longer do students show a passion for learning something that interests them.  This is because they are worried about the impact it will have on their future and financial success.  The lack of passion in education coincides with the lack of expressed emotions in students, according to Edmundson.  If they were to express true emotions and passions they would stick out from the crowd; something no one wants to do.  But, where do students get this mindset?  The “tube.”  Edmundson blames the portrayal that everything must run perfectly on television to why students fear an occasional slip up which may embarrass them.  This is what set Joon Lee apart from the crowd.  He followed his interests, no matter how they might affect his future, and with strong enthusiasm and passion.  Edmundson ends his essay with changes he thinks the universities should take to make less of a “Club Med.”  He also in the end acknowledges his own conformity and pledges to change back to what he thinks will make a good class and challenge his students to think on another level.                   

3 comments:

  1. In a master's level college individual articulation you are pushing link yourself and attempting to let the confirmations delegates know WHY you ought to be picked over other qualified candidates.

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  2. is this a rhetorical analysis or just a summary. my teacher ask my to write a rhetorical analysis about this article. i this it will be helpful

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