I think that the combination of directed coursework and self-study is what a formal education is really about. There is no way a set curriculum can teach you e

I think that the combination of directed coursework and self-study is what a formal education is really about. There is no way a set curriculum can teach you everything that you may need in a dynamic world; you have to learn the curriculum, but you also have to learn what you personally are interested, and you have to learn how to teach yourself. This way you get a solid, wide base but also some specialization/expertise in whatever niche(s) you like, and gives you the tools to advance yourself. It has always frustrated me teaching, when students are unwilling to get out beyond what I or any other teacher tells them. Designing a syllabus makes it very apparent what a minuscule slice of any subject has to be distilled into a dozen lectures or exercises.