*drumroll*

College! First day of school, and I'm basically in Nirvana right now. I have the opportunity to learn, and from some amazing people. Today I had Freshman Writing, Chinese, and Comparative Literature. I have a lot of homework already, but I'm happy about it. This is my zone. Academia is where I can actually shine--I enjoy writing papers and reading literature and just learning in general. I tried doing a lot on my own this summer, but it's much easier when there's an external impetus, i.e. grades.

Not that I'm too worried about grades. My philosophy is that if I learn from a class, the grade will follow. And even if it doesn't, knowledge is worth more than a grade. I've never been a straight-A student--why start now? My theory of higher education is that it'll teach me how to think, not just jump through hoops.

Speaking of which, we were discussing the purposes of higher education today in my Comparative Lit class. We were assigned to read an article by Louis Menand reviewing several books that criticize the current higher education system. Menand presents 3 different theories about higher education:

First, that society needs a mechanism for sorting out its more intelligent members. Since intelligence can't accurately be measured in a single test, college is essentially a 4 year (or however long) test. As long as the courses are rigorous, the grades and diploma are all that matter according to this theory.

The second theory is that the purpose of college is to gain "the knowledge and skills important for life as an informed citizen, or as a reflective and culturally literate human being."Learning makes you a better person, basically. This theory emphasizes that everyone should go to college, partially as a way to set and define cultural norms and morals. The university experience normalizes society.

The first theory is meritocratic and the second is democratic, but the third focuses more on economics. "Advanced economies demand specialized knowledge and skills." If you want to compete in a job market, you need skills, and college has traditionally been a way to get those skills. Especially in order to get into a field dealing with science or technology, a college degree is essential. Until the 20th century, a college degree wasn't required to go to professional school (law, medicine, etc)--but it certainly is now. This theory also emphasizes specialization--why do you need to know how to analyze literature if you're working in chemistry?

I'm not really sure which theory I agree with. I disagree with grade emphasis on principle, so the first theory doesn't really appeal to me. The second theory is good, except for the socialization part. It reminds me of the song Ticky-Tacky and frightens me a little. I do agree that a college experience helps members of society, but I'm not sure it's the right thing for everyone. Which makes the 3rd theory look good: people with certain aptitudes get sorted into different tracks.

We also talked about the LDS perspective, quoting scripture and stuff. We've always been counseled to take advantage of all educational opportunities. My opinion is that learning all we can a) helps us fulfill callings; b) gives us an advantage in the world to come (D&C 90); and c) helps us become more like God. God created the world. He knows what he's doing. If we want to be like him, we should study.

Now go do your homework.