Dear Friends,

Some of you have commented that a discussion of what a degree means seems to be too esoteric to spend time on, but I would submit that the assumptions of higher education in general and especially state encouraged (hard to call us state supported anymore) colleges are currently being closely examined by a group of very negative critics.  Often, these critics are willing to not only use negative statistics but even to create inaccurate statistics to support their case against using tax payer dollars to pay for educating the population. These critics have a well-developed PR system that widely distributes their statements, regardless of their accuracy.  It would seem to me that each of us as a representative of public higher education needs to have a firm understanding of the assumptions that we live by.  Any uncertainty expressed by one of us is likely to be pounced upon and used to discredit all of us.  In the short term topics like what a degree means may seem like a needless waste of time, but I suggest that in the long run, such discussions better prepare us to represent our institution to the general public and may well save our behinds.

Harry

P.S. For a worst case scenario, consider the English higher education system.  It is being ruthlessly revised and refunded (really underfunded) based on the current budget problems there.  It is my understanding that this major modification is being undertaken even though it will have minimal impact on the overall budget for many years.  To me it looks like unilateral disarmament and long-term economic disaster, but there are some on both sides of the pond who don't seem higher education as only a problem rather than being a solution.

Harry E. Pence
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
SUNY Oneonta
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From: Teaching Breakfast List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mills, James ([log in to unmask])
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 10:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: possible topic for Teaching Breakfast Discussion

To Harry and the group,
What a degree means, and particularly what a liberal education means is always a topic that grabs my attention.  The best statement about a liberal education that I have read on this topic is an essay by William Cronon entitled 'Only Connect. .  The Values of a Liberal Education'. (American Scholar, Autumn98, Vol. 67 Issue 4, p73) In that essay he focuses less on the details of curricular debates and more on the ideal qualities and characteristics of a person who has undergone a liberal education. Perhaps others might find it inspirational as well.

Jim Mills

-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pence, Harry ([log in to unmask])
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 8:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: possible topic for Teaching Breakfast Discussion

So, what does a degree mean?  Here is a story that links to an attempt to define the various degrees.  Is this something that anyone might like to discuss?

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/01/25/defining_what_a_college_degree_recipient_should_know_and_be_able_to_do

Cordially,
Harry



Harry E. Pence
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
SUNY Oneonta
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