Analysis Of William Cronon's Only Connect: The Goals Of A Liberal Education

1253 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The strengths and weaknesses of introspection

Even since I was young, I constantly prided myself in thinking in what I considered a mature and logical system. I was never captivated by the social trends that my peers always seemed to hold in high regard. I would collect and store random bits of information from the various works that I read, and then turn that information into something useful be it a story or a school assignment. I was always extremely focused on myself due to my introverted nature, but as I grew older I began to question other people, why they did certain things and why they thought the way they did. It’s a complicated thing the human mind, extremely complex and difficult to understand. Every human who has ever lived on this Earth has never been the exact same, always …show more content…

William Cronon’s article “Only Connect’: The Goals of a Liberal Education” was a fascinating read as it exemplified that what made an individual a good student was not a proficiency in certain subjects, but rather a set of ten qualities that made a good character. My top strength of intellection is certainly an asset in college, at least in terms of academic success. One of Cronon’s characteristics was that a good student respects rigor, especially in the pursuit of the truth, something that I endeavor to do anytime I am in an academic setting. Every single class I have ever signed up for has been challenging in some way, not only because it looks good to take the challenging course, but also for my own benefit. I would have gained nothing without some degree of challenge, for example, if I had not taken an extremely demanding biology course in high school, I would not have discovered how much I love biology and want to go into a biology-based career. My strength of intellection allows me not only perform well academically but it also gives the knowledge to explore my options. Because of this I will seek out the truth in order to expand upon my own knowlege and wisdom. Another one of Cronon’s values that I hope to embody is the understanding of how to get things done, something that I have related to my deliberative strength. I am the first to admit that I am a horrible procrastinator however, I also will always get my assignments done, whether it is an essay or simply doing laundry. Due to this very serious personality flaw I have essentially taught myself how to be more deliberative, I have to be deliberative otherwise I would never get anything done. I now understand that if you have a task then you are obligated to complete that task, and sometimes

Show More
Related

  • On The Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon In the Hands of the Restless Poor

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1997 article, “On The Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon In the Hands of the Restless Poor,” published by Harper’s Magazine, the social critic Earl Shorris described how political power could be achieved by a rather non-vocational educational discipline, the humanities. He emphasizes on how the knowledge of a liberal Education can be used as a form of weapon within the lives for the poor.

    Read More

  • Informative Essay On Nootropics

    1034 Words  | 3 Pages

    ‘“It’s not that it makes you more intelligent,” says Phoebe, a history student. “It’s just that it helps you work. You can study for longer. You don’t get distracted. You’re actually happy to go to the library and you don’t even want to stop for lunch. And then it’s like 7pm, and you’re still, ‘Actually, you know what? I could do another hour.’” (Cadwalladr)

    Read More

  • Can You Be Educated From a Distance?

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...s that you develop a way of regarding the information that you receive to the society that you are living in. He also believes that a quality education develops a students moral views and ability to think. And that these qualities are best developed in the traditional classroom setting by interaction between the student and their professors, and the student’s social life on campus, that is, their interaction with fellow students.

    Read More

  • Case Study: The Driving Force Of Dan's Behavior

    786 Words  | 2 Pages

    It proposes that the capacity for reasoning develops in four sequential and interconnecting stages throughout infancy to adulthood. Some main pieces of the theory are schema, assimilation, and accommodation. Hutchison (2015) describes the schema as “an internalized representation of the world or an ingrained and systematic pattern of thought, action, and problem solving (p. 119). Dan has developed a certain schema throughout his life, which includes his beliefs that people should reach for high-success, respect and obey authority, and men are responsible for the women. Assimilation occurs when an individual reacts to an experience based on prevailing schemata (Hutchison, 2015). Accommodation happens when a person adjusts his or her schemata to a new situation in which the old schemata could not relate. After observing Dan’s case, I can see that he is assimilating to every situation and struggles with accommodating to a new situation that does not fit his existing schemata. When Dan’s friends and family present ideas that oppose his schemata, he seems to become frustrated, anxious, and sad. Dan’s lack of accommodation is creating conflict in his

    Read More

  • The Shortcomings of College Education

    2319 Words  | 5 Pages

    "The more we know the world around us, the more successful we will be." This quote, from the introduction of my high school chemistry book, was my driving force as a teenager to attend college. My expectations of college were to gain insight into a world that I had not yet discovered. I had high aspirations of receiving a good education and obtaining a good job when I graduated. But four years later when graduation day arrived, I felt unfulfilled. In evaluating my education, I realized that I learned how to get good, but not great grades. I learned how to study to make the most of my time. The focus I shared with many of my peers was not always to appreciate the information received, but rather, to value the counsel from someone else who previously took that professor's class and maybe to be lucky enough to get a hold of last semester's examinations. Basically, I acquired useful skills for any job: to follow directions, to give the boss what he or she was asking of me, and to network and gain insight from other colleagues. It was still disturbing to me that after four years of schooling, I felt I had not received the education I initially expected. Overall, college does not bring out the full academic potential of the students who invest the time and money into an education. Teachers need to set aside their biases and restructure and develop curriculum, as well as student-teacher relationships, in order to truly develop college students into freethinking, exploratory people.

    Read More

  • My Fascination with Human Beings

    515 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since I was young, I've had a fascination with mankind. While some focused on learning the structure behind a complex equation and the biological composition of frogs, I studied the construction of one of the most complex species on this planet, human beings. People enthralled me, from how they dressed, to how they behave, to how they adapt and manage living in this ever changing, chaotically beautiful world of ours. As I got older, I began to dive deeper into the study, focusing on specific areas of study and the assembly of the human brain, down to what area controls what emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and their development as people go through the stages of life. How can we advance, grow, even excel as humans. However, due to my timid, weak nature, I refused to pursue my dreams of growth, let alone speak up for them. I stayed quiet, observed from afar, and refused to open my mouth out of fear of being rejected or even hated. People like to advance, but don’t tend to enjoy the path of education it takes to get there. I had to grow up; before I could even think to accomplish the goals I panned out for myself. As I got older, opportunities slowly began to appear that offered a pathway to maturity, but time and time again, my seemingly innate fear of the “what ifs” consistently blocked me from becoming a man.

    Read More

  • Higher Education

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    Supporters for liberal education, such as author Allen Bloom believe that college does not meet the country’s standards. In order to achieve a higher lifestyle, students must “sustain himself in the intellectual deserts he is destined to traverse” (3). Bloom agrees that students must not freely develop, and a structure of college life will lead them into an easier life. However, Books written by great authors such as Shakespeare are not enough to teach students English throughout their life. Bloom states, “No public career these days-not doctor nor lawyer nor politician nor journalist nor businessman nor entertainer- has to do with humane learning.” (5) In order to success, people must learn through books that teach them directly at the subject. They must also take more of each subject so they can have knowledge of what they are going to do in their future. Bloom thinks that undecided students are an embarrassment because they have not formed their real potential.

    Read More

  • Uses of a College Education

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people believe that college is not for everyone. They believe that knowing and learning about life cannot be gained by reading books. In the meantime, there are many people who believe that college does prepare students for the real world. They believe college offers students valuable tools that will equip them for the real world. For instance, open classrooms where students can engage in stimulating conversations prepare students for professions that pay people who can think fast and come up with creative ideas for their companies. Moreover, professors assign homework, exams, and papers to stimulate thinking and prepare students for deadlines and job assignments. However, college may prepare students for the professional world, but does it really prepare students for the real world. The purpose of this essay is...

    Read More

  • Personality

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...nvolving children to learn social acceptance showed us clearly how one behaves makes him what he is. I believe the same for adults. I believe if one behaves in a certain way for a long time, not only society with believe you are what you are behaving as but he himself will start believing he is what he is behaving as. Also I have learned to be more patient with people because I take a step in the further and think why a person would behave in a particular way. I now can see a clear difference between normal and abnormal behaviors.

    Read More

  • The First Year Seminar ( Fys )

    1521 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the First Year Seminar (FYS) we learned a multitude of essential skills that we can use to apply for the rest of our college experience, and years down the road. Throughout the first week of class we learned about Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), essentially they are skills that the students are suppose to know thoroughly by the end of the semester. The six major SLOs that were presented in a majority of FYS classes the first one is access to diverse information through focused research, active discussion and collaboration with peers, this skill is important for college and professional life because it is important that one is able to converse appropriately and knowledgably amongst peers. It is a great skill to have because it shows that a person can work well in a team. The second skill from the SLOs is the ability to separate facts from inferences and relevant from irrelevant information, and explain the limitations of information. This skill is essential to build upon because gaining problem-solving skills one can work through sticky situations. Problem solving skills are great for college and professional life because one can get through tough problems quickly and efficiently, without this skill time is wasted. The third skill from SLO’s is evaluating the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of conclusions drawn from information. This skill is valuable among college and professional life due to the fact that it allows a person to back up their arguments for papers with reliable sources that are credible and accurate that supports the information. Otherwise the argument doesn’t have any supporting evidence to continue their argument to get their point across, if not gained correctly the argument becomes irrelevant in the ...

    Read More

  • The Importance Of College Education?

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    As students in college classrooms sit and listen to their teacher’s requirements and lectures, students often asked themselves why am I here? Why am I taking this class? Is it relevant to my major, my life or career choice? College-level institutions of learning have a hard time figuring out what is the best way to teach students and what works for the student’s best. According to John Dewey “how students are taught is as important as what they are taught” (415). College level students should be taught the skills and abilities that are needed to survive in the work force as well as in society as a whole. Students will face challenges after a college education leading to a different path in life rather than the one they were chasing or hoping

    Read More

  • Wait But Why Summary

    637 Words  | 2 Pages

    I wasn’t aware that I am unconsciously procrastinating on other things rather than homework. I am a deadline procrastinator even though I’ve improved so much this semester, and I’ve come to conclude that our lack of discipline is not worth our dreams, our future. It is not easy to overcome procrastination, but I too have a hypothesis: a major cause of my procrastination is that I have a creative mind, I am more inclined to art, to transform new ideas into objects, into sketches, and to be more active. Sadly, our education system is focused on protocols, processes, robot-like tasks and training. It is creating workers in fear of the higher class losing power. Creativity is part of the human being's integral identity and by killing it we lose a little of our humanity. I am not complaining about education; in fact, I love learning new things every day. I am so passionate about education that Leonardo da Vinci is my role model, a man who was interested in many areas of study but, in the end, he was more admired as an artist, a proof that procrastination makes us more

    Read More

  • A Do It Yourself Liberal Education Analysis

    206 Words  | 1 Pages

    There is too much “necessary” information in today’s world. That’s exactly why we need to alter what necessary means. We can’t mope about not learning things about our history because there is too much to learn. If you narrowly define what “necessary” means, people will focus on these subjective necessities and forget the depth of literature that speaks volumes in different, but just as important, ways. Books like The Feminine Mystique are essential to highlighting very relevant and timely social issues but would rarely be considered “necessary” by people who only value specific books considered “classics” for providing “a background in history, philosophy, sociology, politics, and economics.” But that view

    Read More

  • MBA Accounting Graduate School Application Letter

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a young undergraduate, I attempted to prove myself as a hardworking student by attending my courses focused and well prepared, and conducting my assignments as required. Through my undergraduate studies, I was fortunate to participate in several student and voluntary activities. Furthermore, determinant to acquire relevant practical experience, I trained and worked at several establishments applying my theoretical ed...

    Read More

  • The Benefits Of Higher Education

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Carter, PhD, explains, “Problem solving and critical thinking lie at the heart of every aspect of life…The identification and analysis of new approaches is truly the meat and potatoes of critical thinking. This requires the full range of skills that should be provided to students within the world of higher education” (¶ 5). When a person is in high school, they are taught many ways to be successful in life. Whether it is being able to strike a deal with a successful businessman or opening one’s mind to a whole different realm of job opportunities, transferring those skills acquired in high school to your college education is a step in the right direction. Collaborating with college students and professors, learning additional ways to expand your potential, and discovering more paths to new information are all examples of the potential benefits of higher learning. Whatever a student’s major is, college gives them the tools and analytical skills that could help them land their dream

    Read More

More about Analysis Of William Cronon's Only Connect: The Goals Of A Liberal Education

Open Document