5 ms·

There was a time when studying at university was about more than simply preparing young people for employment. It was about studying something in depth, at a hi

There was a time when studying at university was about more than simply preparing young people for employment. It was about studying something in depth, at a high level. And actually, I don't happen to think it's a waste of time to study art, or history, or literature. Now that university has become simply about getting a qualification that looks good on your resume, is it any wonder that people don't take it seriously, especially when the jobs market looks mostly hopeless for young people?

mathgladiator 13y ago
> And actually, I don't happen to think it's a waste of time to study art, or history, or literature. It's not a waste, but it's a waste on many. Basically, there are two core questions we have a species: how we live and why we live. art, history, and literature help answer the why and the how is very clearly answered by the sciences/engineering. Honestly, people just going to college for a future job is a waste of their time, the professor's time, and college resources. If I had the time, I would enjoy taking a literature or art class these days.
- hosh 13y ago
  It wasn't a waste on the San Quentin immates: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6953465 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6953465 There was a much earlier article... I forgot where. A long article about the power of the humanities for those living in the poverty line. Granted, the participants were self-selected, were open to this, but they were also hungry for this kind of knowledge and wisdom. Engineering colleges and the modern form of Universities, I think, will split off on its own as what is essential vocational school. And the "good stuff" will be reserved for the elite and the folks who dare step outside the box.
- colomon 13y ago
  I'd love to take another few semester's of Great Books. But would I love to pay $1800 to take it? Not so much. The current prices for college only make sense if you are preparing for a good career. Very few people would willingly go $50,000 in debt to learn for the sake of pure learning.
  - mathgladiator 13y ago
    This is why I think supply and demand should apply to college classes.
nicholas73 13y ago
One of the classes that had impact on me at college was "Sources of Social Order." I was a very socially awkward and defensive kid, and it was a beginning for me to understand people better. Of course, it would have been better for me to learn organically on the playground instead of like an anthropologist watching apes, but then we can blame high school instead of university :)
j2kun 13y ago
I think the problem is that students aren't even thinking about the job market (or at least the kind of student the OP refers to in the article). They assume it as a given that they will get a job. All the children are above average, and that sort of thing.
BrandonMarc 13y ago
There was a time when studying at university was about more than simply preparing young people for employment. It was about studying something in depth, at a high level. This. When I was in high school, and college, I assumed this was the reason they taught math as heavily as they did. Kids would whine "but I won't ever need to know calculus" (or, worse, algebra) ... but I figured being able to learn something that deeply, consistently, from many different professors over many years is proof (to future employers, for example) that you can learn something you will need.

mathgladiator 13y ago

> And actually, I don't happen to think it's a waste of time to study art, or history, or literature. It's not a waste, but it's a waste on many. Basically, there are two core questions we have a species: how we live and why we live. art, history, and literature help answer the why and the how is very clearly answered by the sciences/engineering. Honestly, people just going to college for a future job is a waste of their time, the professor's time, and college resources. If I had the time, I would enjoy taking a literature or art class these days.

hosh 13y ago
It wasn't a waste on the San Quentin immates: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6953465 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6953465 There was a much earlier article... I forgot where. A long article about the power of the humanities for those living in the poverty line. Granted, the participants were self-selected, were open to this, but they were also hungry for this kind of knowledge and wisdom. Engineering colleges and the modern form of Universities, I think, will split off on its own as what is essential vocational school. And the "good stuff" will be reserved for the elite and the folks who dare step outside the box.
colomon 13y ago
I'd love to take another few semester's of Great Books. But would I love to pay $1800 to take it? Not so much. The current prices for college only make sense if you are preparing for a good career. Very few people would willingly go $50,000 in debt to learn for the sake of pure learning.
- mathgladiator 13y ago
  This is why I think supply and demand should apply to college classes.

nicholas73 13y ago

One of the classes that had impact on me at college was "Sources of Social Order." I was a very socially awkward and defensive kid, and it was a beginning for me to understand people better. Of course, it would have been better for me to learn organically on the playground instead of like an anthropologist watching apes, but then we can blame high school instead of university :)

j2kun 13y ago

I think the problem is that students aren't even thinking about the job market (or at least the kind of student the OP refers to in the article). They assume it as a given that they will get a job. All the children are above average, and that sort of thing.

BrandonMarc 13y ago

There was a time when studying at university was about more than simply preparing young people for employment. It was about studying something in depth, at a high level. This. When I was in high school, and college, I assumed this was the reason they taught math as heavily as they did. Kids would whine "but I won't ever need to know calculus" (or, worse, algebra) ... but I figured being able to learn something that deeply, consistently, from many different professors over many years is proof (to future employers, for example) that you can learn something you will need.