“The idea that a university education is for everyone is a destructive myth. An instructor at a ‘college of last resort’ explains why.”
In each of my courses, we discuss thesis statements and topic sentences, the need for precision in vocabulary, why economy of language is desirable, what constitutes a compelling subject. I explain, I give examples, I cheerlead, I cajole, but each evening, when the class is over and I come down from my teaching high, I inevitably lose faith in the task, as I’m sure my students do. I envision the lot of us driving home, solitary scholars in our cars, growing sadder by the mile.
In the Basement of the Ivory Tower
Interesting and somewhat provocative.