Liberal Education as Lite Entertainment

Hello.
Today we finished watching The Great Debaters and analysed the rhetocial strategies for persuasion used by each of the opposing teams (Wiley College and Harvard) in the debate.

We then spent a fair amount of time discussing the article entitled On the Uses of a Liberal Education as Lite Entertainment for Bored College Students by Mark Edmunson. For those of you who contributed to the discussion, I thank you. Your insights, arguments, and intelligent contributions enhance the learning environment of our class immeasurably. I, for one, find it quite exciting and interesting to listen to all you have to say. Thanks!

I have asked that you do a close, annotated (highlighted, written all over) reading of this article for next class to further our discussion of the many points and references Edmunson makes. Yes, you have read it once. Now, please, read it again and consider what you think and what you don't know.

I spoke at length (I know, too long) about the need for you to push yourselves now to learn and ask questions and investigate your readings. If you don't know a word, look it up. If you've never heard of a person referred to in an article, look it up. You may even bring your phones or devices to access the Internet in class, if you are indeed furthering your acquisition of relevant knowledge.

Homework: Annotated second reading of Liberal Education as Lite Entertainment article. This article was given out several classes before Winter Vacation.