As someone who believes that education is the goal of a college such as
ours not so much training for a specific career- I
disagree with some of the authors premise.  The ability to think
critically, be aware of  many career possibilities, have some
understanding of cultures and history, derive pleasure from the pursuit
of art and music of many kinds, learn to live in an environment of
diverse views, races, cultures: these are some of the loftier goals of
education.  The author's contention that students are too rich and have
no career goals misses the point. Interestingly the limited purpose of
"job training" is, I believe, MORE dangerous than career
purposelessness.  They will change careers too often for us to train
them for only one.  Ethics, Art, communication, composition, history
etc. are ultimately of the greatest value.  Three cheers for the
purposelessness student with an indiscriminant intellectual appetite!
Now- where the hell are they??

Rick Jagels
 





-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jim Greenberg
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Recent Story About Students in Detroit News

This was a good read.. Thought this group would find it interesting....

Title: Lack of purpose haunts students

http://www.detnews.com/2005/editorial/0502/13/A15-87606.htm

Jim Greenberg
--