Mark Edmudsons View on Liberal Education

February 14th, 2015

ENG 122

Critical Analysis 1

Mark Edmudsons View on Liberal Education

Mark Edmudson is an English Professor at the University of Virginia. His writing shows ideas drawn from observations that set his views apart. He distinctively shows this in the article On the Uses of a Liberal Education: As Lite Entertainment for Bored College Students. He sees students as one common mind; who appreciate their grades more than their education. Most parents have coddled their children from the cruel reality of the imperfect world. Having a set standard of what grade they think should be received, becoming unconfident and angry when given different. Teachers normally only encourage the behavior to make students feel comfortable and increase the participation in class discussion. Edmundson describes his opinion on his class bluntly, using emotions like anger to expand their thoughts; finding students have more passion in the topic when they strongly disagree.

At the end of the semester students are asked to write a report on how professors did teaching, and what improvements can be made to the course. The responses back normally critique the teacher and their methods. Not being about subjects needing to go more in-depth, or extra work to help remember the material. “I want some of them to say that they’ve been changed by the course. I want them to measure themselves against what they’ve read”(Mark Edmundson 323). The reports given back review the likability of the teacher more than the subject .If he or she taught a difficult class were not many passed, they’re likely to blame the professor, rather then admitting to the extra effort that should have been put into studying. It pushes teachers to giving grades that are not deserved, because it’s easier then dealing with constant complains. “What my students are at their best, is decent” (Edmundson 326). This is a direct example of Edmundson...