Labor Day

WARNING: this blog post contains strong academic references and textual innuendos. Reader discretion is advised.

I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day. Unfortunately I did not get the day off and had class this afternoon from 1pm-4pm. It is a course on the history of higher education in the United States. It is a great course. Today Dr. Walton laid down the foundations for the course. We discussed the impact of the Colonial Colleges on higher education. One of the main books we use for the course is Rudolph's Curriculum. 


It is a good read. Instead of chronicling a linear history with dates and important names Rudolph focuses on the interplay between the curriculum and key constituents in higher education (students, faculty and society). By focusing on the curriculum Rudolph provides a unique lens through which we can (re)interpret the prevailing narrative of American higher education. 


We had a great discussion about how have great thinkers of the past defined education, and are there thoughts about education still relevant. The quote I picked was from Bernard Bailyn and he said, "Education is the entire process by which a culture transmits itself across the generations" (Education in the Forming of American Society 1960). My partner Yang said that the quote is only true for the dominant culture here in America. Oppressed and minoritized populations often times must reliquish their own culture in order to participate in the enterprise of education. The text from our readings this week even bear witness to that fact. Charles Eastman was the first Native American graduate of Dartmouth. About his educational experience he said:


I renounced finally my bow and arrow for the spade and the pen. I took off my soft moccasins and put on the heavy and clumsy but durable shoes. Everyday of my life I put into use every English word that I knewm and for the first time permitted myself to think and act as a white man.


What do you all think about Yang's critique of Bailyn? Do you agree? I'm interested to read what you all think.