Collegiate Life: An Obituary by Arthur Levine and Jeannette S. Cureton is an essay about college students. The essay tells of how colleges and their students are moving away from the original ideal. The authors state that college life has changed because the students have changed. Students now attending college are much more diverse than previous generations. Current college students don't fit in the ideal image for a few reasons. The ideal image is a students 18-22 years old living on campus attending full time and not having a job. Now-a-day the vast majority of the student population doesn't fit in that category.
This essay compares college to a bank "We know what we want: an ATM on every corner. And when we get to the ATM, we want there to be no line. We also would like a parking spot right in front of the ATM, and to have our checks deposited the moment they arrive at the bank..." I do not agree with this statement. To me college is an experience, and a great one at that. So in my opinion if college was like this ideal image of a bank students would be missing out on a great deal of the college experience. Students aren't going to college to go to class and then back home. Students are attending to engage and get involved and enjoy the ride.
Overall i strongly disagree with the opinions shared in this essay. Statements such as "students are coming to college overwhelmed and more damaged than in the past" really struck a cord with me. The authors are trying to sound like they know all about college students but really they can in no way relate. They are much older than the student body and in my opinion know nothing about us. Who is to say who is "damaged"?
Hi Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI think this was one of your best posts so far! Your reaction to the article was well-formed: "Students aren't going to college to go to class and then back home. Students are attending to engage and get involved and enjoy the ride." I think this is precisely what Levine and Cureton miss in their analysis - that college life is about learning, but learning through one's successes and mistakes.
You could have gone a little more in depth about your disagreement with the essay. Your final line was strong and solid: "Who is to say who is "damaged"?" However, I would have liked to have heard a little more - how can older people be just as messed up, just as flawed, just as ignorant? I know this is an informal blog, but try to consider if your statements intrigue your reader further. You might need to continue giving some answers :-)
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments at this point in the semester. Great job!
Cheers,
Maria