Blog #5: Essay 3 Topic Brainstorm

            For my essay topic for our third and fourth essay assignments, I think I’m going to focus on competition’s role in college, and how it is a necessary evil.  There are many forms of competition on college campuses, including social and academic pressures.  This competition starts before one is even accepted to college and will follow them when they are well out of college in their career.  While many students do not appreciate the stress that this competition may provide them, it is necessary as it prepares students to be able to deal with other forms of competition they will face for the rest of their lives.  Competition drives students to do better and work harder, and I believe that if taken constructively it can be a very positive motivator for students to be the best they can be. 

            My second idea for this essay topic would be crime on college campuses.  I’m still a little wary of committing to this topic because I know it’s very broad, but I feel that there is a lot I could talk about regarding this topic.  I don’t yet know what my thesis would be, but I could talk about the different forms of crime, how it affects student offenders, and the various degrees of severity of crimes on college campuses.  I would need to research this topic a little and come up with a thesis before I would commit to it though.  I feel I could do  a lot with it but it’s still too broad.

Blog #4: Synthesis Essay Brainstorm

           In Educating For Democracy by Anne Colby and others, the authors bring about the idea that today’s students need to be more educated in the field of politics as well as more focused on a specific area of study, all in order to become more effective, contributing citizens.  On the other hand, in John Henry Newman’s two articles on liberal education, he argues that it is important for students to be well rounded in their education in order to be successful.  While these two views may be different, they are both calling for students to use their education in order to become useful, contributing members of society.

            Colby’s article states “institutions of higher education have critical roles to play in helping to ensure the vitality and evolution of our culture and democratic system,” (Colby 2).  Newman would agree with this claim in that his argument also calls for the advancement of our society through higher education.  However, his argument claims that the way to do this is through liberal education and becoming a well-rounded student by studying multiple subjects.  Colby claims this should be achieved through students focusing on a smaller area of study so that they can become proficient in it and use that proficiency to become a useful citizen.

Similarities

-Colby and Newman both agree on the importance of advancing society

-Both believe the way to achieve this advancement is through higher education

Differences

-Newman stresses well-rounded students and liberal education

-Colby stresses specialization and focus

- Colby calls for “creative analysis, application of knowledge to new contexts, and other hallmarks of deep learning.”