Character Development at Harvard
The primary purpose of education is to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and acquire the knowledge they need to fulfill in our changing society. We strive to provide opportunities for individuals to make decisions and encourage them to satisfy their academic needs responsibly and effectively." - Everett High School philosophy
Vague mission statements seem to be the staple of most institutional philosophies. However, the above philosophy of my high school makes it clear that its purpose was to equip students with "skill" and "knowledge" to function in society and in further academic pursuits. On the other hand, Harvard University states that it is the university's responsibility to preach community and social values to students - that it is a vital component of an undergraduate education. Harvard supports moral education for a life of "usefulness and reputation," and the university's mission statement relates the importance of moral education in the full higher-educational experience. College graduates should adopt a higher tone and spread the value of our higher education and of our social class. The Harvard statement makes reference to "reputation," it is clear that universities uphold the idea of moral education and character development in order to bolster their public image.
I absolutely agree with the necessity of colleges and universities to promote community activism and to encourage graduates to act out a life that reflects well on their universities, although I do not believe that it is solely the responsibility of the university to instill such values in its graduates. All organized social groups should encourage community ...
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...r voices heard in elections and local politics.
A society that places trust in its college graduates to be useful and to reflect a good reputation of both society and the graduate‚s institution of higher learning is valuable only if the university makes an attempt in good faith to encourage values of community involvement. Only with active attempts to engage political, social, and moral discussion can graduates actually go out into the world with the experience and skills to impact society. It is not enough for society to expect college graduates to be more than academic giants, but society itself (in the form of other institutions) must encourage citizens to lead useful lives. They must advocate a life that enhances the repute of the individual and the institution. The most feasible institution for such a statement to be made in is the University.
Carson, D. A. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
If one needs a secure future, he/she has to attend college and attain a college degree to do so. College is doing a great job in educating the students about the particular subject, but is not doing so well to get them ready for their future jobs. To be able to sustain themselves in their field of work, students have to learn with more hands on activities, which will help them develop faster ways to be able to perform tasks, and make the least amount of mistakes. If the students do make mistakes, then they should learn from them rather than think negatively about making mistakes. Colleges should prepare students to deal intellectually with their future jobs by helping them providing with internships, and talking to them about importance of volunteering in our society, so students want to volunteer rather than forced to do so. Doing so will help improve our society’s condition because we will see more people helping each other rather than being selfish. Colleges should inform students about fraudulent cases that take place in the world on a daily basis, so the students could be better consumers. Colleges need to build programs for students which helps students with their critical thinking, and so that students could surround themselves with people who want to achieve similar goals in life. This will help students build a team, and help them be creators in life with their innovations. Doing so will
The right and privilege to higher education in today’s society teeters like the scales of justice. In reading Andrew Delbanco’s, “College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be, it is apparent that Delbanco believes that the main role of college is to accommodate that needs of all students in providing opportunities to discover individual passions and dreams while furthering and enhancing the economic strength of the nation. Additionally, Delbanco also views college as more than just a time to prepare for a job in the future but a way in which students and young adults can prepare for their future lives so they are meaningful and purposeful. Even more important is the role that college will play in helping and guiding students to learn how to accept alternate point of views and the importance that differing views play in a democratic society. With that said, the issue is not the importance that higher education plays in society, but exactly who should pay the costly price tag of higher education is a raging debate in all social classes, cultures, socioeconomic groups and races.
Coogan, Michael David., Marc Zvi. Brettler, Carol A. Newsom, and Pheme Perkins. The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Standard Version with the Apocrypha : An Ecumenical Study Bible. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010. Print.
New International Version. [Colorado Springs]: Biblica, 2011. BibleGateway.com. Web. 3 Mar 2011. Accessed 22 April 2014.
"Genisis, Matthew, and John." Holy Bible: NIrV, New International Reader's Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House, 1998. N. pag. Web.
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Third Edition, New Revised Standard Version, Indexed. New York: Oxford UP, 2007. Print
The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1957.
Unger, Merrill F. The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Ed. R. K. Harrison, Howard F. Vos, and Cyril J. Barber. Chicago: Moody, 1988. Print.
Metzger, Bruce M., David Hubbard Allan., and Glenn Barker W. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1982.
I believe that the purpose of education is to produce the next generation of leaders who are intelligent and have great character. This idea is supported in the article “The Purpose of Education” by Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist who fought for black and white people to have equal rights in America. He writes about the true purpose, and meaning of education in the article by saying, “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction (MLK1).” This quote from the article explains that being academically educated is very important. It will help people stand up, be a leader, and take charge to make the world a better place for everyone. That gallant leader will argue against the fallacy, lies,
Metzger, B.M. & Coogan, M.D. “The Oxford Companion to the Bible”. Oxford University Press. New York, NY. (1993). P. 806-818.
Coogan, Michael D., ed. The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 3rd Ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
As a student, I know that we are the future for society to thrive on. We are told again and again that the knowledge we gain will further ourselves into the world, and for our college, there are rights and responsibilities us students must follow to maintain a working community for other students, teachers, and staff. To ensure a healthy and happy college experience, we must earn the same equal rights as every other student through academic opportunities, learning, and financial aid. Students are supposed to be responsible for choices made in college as it is beneficial for our future; however, most importantly we need to be responsible for maintaining academic honesty, meet staff expectations, and taking control of our future.
The purpose of education is to teach the basics of knowledge and to challenge each individual to learn. The realization that I will have the power to make a difference in a child’s life is sometimes overwhelming. This remarkable fact gives me a stronger purpose – to be a positive role model for my students. Being an effective teacher is truly an awesome responsibility.