Although there were only supposed to be "13" things to think about
this summer, I just couldn't decide between these last two talks. Read
the description and determine which piques your interest most this week.
Both seem like fitting topics to lead us into this new semester.
Option 1: A Kindler, Gentler Philosophy of Success (16:55)
"Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure -- and
questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success
always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move
beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work."
Points to Ponder:
- Do you agree with de Botton's analysis of meritocracy?
- During Week 4; Kathryn Schultz's talk focused on being wrong. As de
Botton described today's mindset concerning the 'bottom of society'
being labeled "losers" did you find similarities between the messages?
Is it true that our biggest fear in failure is not failing itself, but
the judgement and ridicule?
- What is your idea of success? Where does your idea of success come from? Has it changed over time?
- How do we help our students define their own ideas of success
(making sure each is truly the "author of his/her own ambitions")? How
do we do this when our students place a high value on letter grades?
- What stood out for you in this talk? What do you agree with or disagree with?
Option 2: Liz Coleman's Call to Reinvent Liberal Arts Education (18:41)
"Bennington president Liz Coleman delivers a call-to-arms for radical
reform in higher education. Bucking the trend to push students toward
increasingly narrow areas of study, she proposes a truly
cross-disciplinary education -- one that dynamically combines all areas
of study to address the great problems of our day."
Points to Ponder:
- Have we (the liberal arts colleges) lost our roots? Coleman says "We have professionalized the liberal arts to the point where they no
longer provide the breadth of application and the enhanced capacity for
civic engagement that is their signature. Over the past century, the
expert has dethroned the educated generalist to become the sole model of
intellectual accomplishment. … The progression of today’s college
student is to jettison every interest except one, and within that one,
to continually narrow the focus, learning more and more about less and
less — this despite the evidence all around us of the interconnectedness
of things. …" Do you agree? Is Coe guilty? Is this true of your liberal arts alma mater (if you came from one)?
- Coleman talks about the connection between education and the
public good, indicating the academy simply does not empower this
connection. Do you think our students understand or feel a connection?
Do our students connect their liberal arts education to civic
engagement?
- Is there any way to know when Coleman's ideal marriage between liberal arts and public good is met?
- What do part of Coleman's talk to you most deeply agree or passionately disagree with? Why?
