Obtaining a Liberal Arts Degree and Other Questionable Maneuvers

Townhall 

A few decades ago, it was practical for a college student to choose a major in the liberal arts. If one graduated with a degree in, say, sociology, psychology, or English literature, employers were interested. You could take educatedstudents who didn't have a specific focus and put them in charge of something where they could learn and grow on the job, and predictably most could do well.

More Useless by the Minute

Today, in many universities, a degree in liberal arts can prove to be all but useless: to students, to employers, and to society at large.

Why is this so? For one, curriculums have changed. Traditionally, studying the great philosophers, ethics, or early English was intellectually stimulating. Today, liberal arts students can take courses such as the Wit and Wisdom of Taylor Swift, Lessons Learn on Gilligan's Island, The Joy of Letting Go, or Zombies in Popular Culture. Using your favorite search engine, enter “ridiculous university classes.” Or, search for college courses that probably shouldn't be taught.

Why do universities offer such courses and who attends them? University deans and department heads believe that offering a ‘diversity’ of liberal arts courses helps to broaden the minds of students. If students are exposed to different courses of study and potentially controversial topics, by graduation somehow they will be better for it.

A Leftist Cabal

Why do students enroll in such classes? In many cases, it's an easy “A.” All you have to do is agree with the professor and you're rewarded. Speak up about something that has been taught, or offer an alternative opinion, and you might find yourself battling to get a good grade.

American professors lean heavily Left. Based on donations, voting records, or professed preferences, 90% to 95% of professors automatically vote Democrat in each and every election. And, when you hear what they have to say about Republicans and conservatives, it can get really scary.

It was once nearly impossible to discern the political persuasion of those at the front of the class. Professors were not political advocates. They taught their subject matter in a straightforward manner. Today, it is the rare professor who is able to toe that line, and the rare student who survives even one year of college without such attempted indoctrination.

Rhetoric, Interrupted

The original intent of university founders has been contorted. Ivy League schools including Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Harvard, and Brown were among the first to be founded in America. In the early days of university education, students were taught philosophy, science, logic, mathematics, and even rhetoric -- students learned how to intelligently discuss complex topics. Yes, most students were white males.

As the nation progressed, and universities were established in all 50 states, women, minorities, and those who traditionally had little access to a university education joined in and rounded out the student body. Still, majoring in liberal arts from a renowned college was nearly a guarantee that some employer would be glad to have you as part of the staff.

After World War II, through various government programs universities were able broaden the base of students who were duly accepted. While seemingly a beneficial outcome, in reality many students who otherwise were not academically qualified to be in college were accepted. Gradually, lower academic standards ensued.

Less rigorous courses were offered to the point where one could graduate without the ability to proofread an English composition, but still declare oneself to be an English major.

Indoctrination, Over the Top

The protest of the 1960s essentially sealed the deal: radical professors offering radical views prevailed. Soon, nearly any form of progressivismpermeated the classroom environment. The result of Leftist indoctrination over many decades led to all the ills we witness today. The riots on campuses around the country in support of Hamas became all but predictable.

Who among us had the time, energy, and focus to monitor what was occurring in university classrooms?

So, here we are with a potential electorate that can be spoon fed by extreme Leftists and believe that such radical influencers reflect mainstream values.

Decades to Undo

What will it take to redress the situation to the point where students will have the ability to truly think for themselves? That is a question for the ages, however it won't be years in the making, it will be decades. Until then, we have to do our best to inform as many voters as possible what represents reality versus pie-in-the-sky Leftist delusions.