Document Type

Newspaper - Section, column, etc.

Department

Mathematics (Pomona)

Publication Date

2012

Keywords

education, frivolous questions, STEM

Abstract

Is there any reason for today's academic institutions to encourage the pursuit of answers to seemingly frivolous questions? The opinionated business leader who does not give a darn about your typical liberal arts classes "because they do not prepare today’s students for tomorrow's work force" might snicker knowingly here: Have you seen some of the ridiculous titles of the courses offered by the English / literature / history / (fill in the blank) studies department in the University of So-And-So? Why should any student take "Basketweaving in the Andes during the Peloponnesian Wars"? Just what would anyone gain from such an experience?

Comments

First appeared in Inside Higher ED

Rights Information

© 2012 Inside Higher Ed.

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

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