Zooze the Horse roams around the pasture near Lamar State College. Zooze thinks about problems in academia. Zhe wants proffies to submit posts (blog posts, not fence posts).
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Big Thirsty
True or False:
Colleges and universities are the conscience of the culture.
And, conversely, expect too much of colleges and universities (and educational institutions generally). *Every* profession should have and uphold ethical standards, and cultivate and enforce same among its members and clients.
Colleges should expose students to some formal systems -- preferably more than one, so they're recognizable *as* systems, rather than "the truth" -- for working out ethical issues, via classes in philosophy (or possibly theology) that are required as part of the core/gen ed curriculum, and should also begin introducing students to the ethical/professional standards, and ethical debates, associated with their chosen majors (and, if relevant, possible future professions). Students should also get some practice in imagining themselves inside others' heads and lives (so, empathy, or something like this) through study of literature, drama/film, and the other arts. And they should be encouraged to see all of the above as the beginning of lifelong habits and conversations, not boxes to be checked and forgotten as soon as the final exam is turned in.
So -- False (in theory and in practice) -- but we should play a role (whether we're playing that role any better than any other profession these days is a question for another day).
How's this for an answer: "It depends."
ReplyDeleteColleges and U's make some mistakes, just like all of us. I think statements like this claim too much automatic high ground.
And, conversely, expect too much of colleges and universities (and educational institutions generally). *Every* profession should have and uphold ethical standards, and cultivate and enforce same among its members and clients.
DeleteColleges should expose students to some formal systems -- preferably more than one, so they're recognizable *as* systems, rather than "the truth" -- for working out ethical issues, via classes in philosophy (or possibly theology) that are required as part of the core/gen ed curriculum, and should also begin introducing students to the ethical/professional standards, and ethical debates, associated with their chosen majors (and, if relevant, possible future professions). Students should also get some practice in imagining themselves inside others' heads and lives (so, empathy, or something like this) through study of literature, drama/film, and the other arts. And they should be encouraged to see all of the above as the beginning of lifelong habits and conversations, not boxes to be checked and forgotten as soon as the final exam is turned in.
So -- False (in theory and in practice) -- but we should play a role (whether we're playing that role any better than any other profession these days is a question for another day).
Great. Now I have sharpie ink on my screen.
ReplyDeleteThat's the extra credit option!
Delete