The Neoliberal Analysis
Samantha Nyborg LEAP Writing 2011-05 September 15, 2014 Critique Draft Megan McArlde is a journalist and blogger who focuses most of her writing on things like finance, government policy, and economics. In her article “The College Bubble,” a magazine article published in Newsweek on September 17, 2012, McArlde writes about how the “Mythomania about college has turned getting a degree into an American neurosis” (1). She focuses a lot on the value of getting a college education, and makes an argument that all the time and money spent on earning a degree may not be worth it in the end. McArlde uses several strategies to appeal to her reader’s, and does a great job of effectively using the Logos, Pathos, and Ethos appeals throughout her article.
In the essay, “College Consumerism Run Amok” describes the views of Kevin Carey on how he views secondary education. Kevin Carey explains how the price of a college tuition have risen across the United States. His first point describes that students are asking for to many “creature comforts” and college oblige them causing tuition to skyrocket. Lastly, he points on that colleges are marketing themselves this way on purpose. Now colleges are marketing “creature comforts” instead of focusing on education.
Thesis Driven Essay The article titled “Even for Cashiers, College Pays Off” by David Leonhardt is an article that tackles the different reasons why skeptics and critics think spending money and time in college wasting. Despite the advantages that have been experienced by America in comparison to Europe, it does not make sense having to explain why college education for the masses is a noble and profitable venture. The reasons among which are quoted by those opposing and critics is that it is an expensive venture. This might be true but it results in self improvement which is very valuable and not quantifiable in terms of price and can result in a good job which will, in turn, result into more money.
The question “Is NAFTA good for the U.S.?” can be answered both ways. Yes, the NAFTA is good for the United States, because it allows for trade to be made between Mexico and Canada. Another, is the United States may be limited to specific foods, that cannot be harvest during the winter season. However, Mexico may be able to supply the United States with these specific foods due to the warmer climate.
Well, as the economy has been a hot topic of discussion in many ways, including politically, there must be a need to continue the growth of our economy. The more people we can get college education to, and the more people that can contribute to the workforce at a high level, the more chance we have to fuel that into our economy. To nurture the non-traditional student culture, is to nurture the economy that will benefit the American society at large. On the flip side, beyond trying to avoid the middle class from disappearing, there is a need to push the lower class out of the horrendous state it is in. Lindsey M. Jesnek discusses these issues in the article Empowering the Non-Traditional College Student And Bridging The ‘Digital Divide’:
The school systems aim to please these new age college students because they essentially pay the bills. Consumption maybe on the rise but college students are more than the shrewd remarks Edmondson argues in his piece. Although his experience as a professor leads him to the assumption that all college students are the same, he has not encountered the whole population. Edmondson’s challenges are learning how to complete with the twenty first century ethos. He has to learn how to adapt to the changing society.
“3 Reasons College Still Matters” by Andrew Delbanco 3) “Surely, every American college ought to defend this waning possibility, whatever we call it. And an American college is only true to itself when it opens its doors to all - the rich, the middle, and the poor - who have the capacity to embrace the precious chance to think and reflect before life engulfs them. If we are all serious about democracy, that means everyone.” 4) In this part of the writing Andrew Delbanco tries to persuade his audience by using the pattern of logic that agrees with the overall argument but also considers another striking point of view to strengthen the argument (While these arguments are convincing, they must also consider…).
Is college still important and relevant? The question is answered and confirmed when Liz Addison, author of “Two Years Are Better than Four”, wrote a counter argument in order to disprove the opposing views of Rick Perlstein, the author of, “What’s the Matter with College”. The topic that is being brought to light is the subject of whether or not college still matters. Perlstein that college is no longer what it used to be. It was after reading Perlstein’s article that Addison masterfully wrote her counter argument which successfully contradicted the opinionated, inaccurate views of Rick Perlstein.
However, the privilege of obtaining an education is becoming increasingly difficult to finance which ironically leaves some college students with the decision to choose between pursuing their dreams or having a meal on a consistent basis. The general perception of students who attend college is that since they are able to afford to further their education, they are inherently privileged and inevitably categorized as part of the affluent demographic within our nation. In contrast, Frank Eltman of the Huffington Post expressed that the majority of students enrolled in a university are ineligible for food stamps despite suffering from food insecurity. Eltman also capitalizes on the statistic that the tuition for public universities has increased an inordinate amount of twenty seven percent in the last five years. However, tuition is not the only expense that students are expected to finance.
In the world we live in today. Going to college is no longer a choice, or privilege, but rather a need for a brighter future . So the big question that happens to be going around is, “Is College really worth it?”According to Andrew J. Rotherham’s article “Actually, college is very much worth it.”, “5 Ways Ed Pays”produced by (The College board), and “Why College Isn't (And Shouldn’t have to be) For Everyone” written by Robert Reich. The answer to that question is yes.
Since tuition has risen 3 times higher the rate of inflation in the past 10 years, this increase a student’s chances of not being able to afford higher education and also gives them a better chance of accumulating debt post-graduation. Some people think that the college education they acquired did not fit the amount they paid for it, even if they pulled out loans or were an ideal candidate for a scholarship. This is a scary fact because higher education can determine if you thrive
Going 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.
On top of that, education has become very outrageous when it comes to paying tuition. Only a couple generation ago, around the 1930’s and 40’s, it was common to be able to go to class full time, still have a job, and graduate from undergraduate school, debt free. Now to a man like Thoreau, this would be wonderful when looked at from a price standpoint. He would see the education system as a profitable experience because it does not cost too much, whereas he would frown upon today’s society filled with debt. He would greatly dislike the fact that even a few generations ago, the average man would need to work to obtain an education, but at least that education is one step closer to being the enlightenment he prefers.
After reading The Neoliberal Arts by William Deresiewicz you probably start to think about your education. In this reading William Deresiewicz starts out by talking about his experience being a writing teacher at an elite liberal arts college. In his article his main argument would have to be that he thinks that education today is in the age of neoliberalism. WillIam Deresiewicz throughout his article gives and explains how schools are providing their students with a real education. His article does give students a lot to think about but I would not say I agree with everything he has explained.
Being exposed to broad knowledge which provokes lifelong learning, students from Liberal Arts Colleges can easily change occupations later on in life after college. Michael Roth claims that although vocational education might seem more pragmatic and reasonable because it offers graduates a job which they already know how to do and guarantees them a high starting salary, it does not teach them the needed skills which apply to more than one field of work. Furthermore, focusing on only one profession does not guarantee students that their job will continue to exist in the near future (“Controversies”). According to Bernard Marr due to the technological advancement in recent years some jobs are threatened of extinction. The general belief is that this concerns only low-skilled workers.
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