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Robert Harris Generalized Education Analysis

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Robert Harris Generalized Education Analysis
Robert Harris, a renowned writer and experienced professor, published “On the Purpose of a Liberal Art Education” in 1991. He was astounded by how many students he heard mumbling about a generalized education plan; therefore, he felt the compulsive need to explain why a general education not only gives a first-year student a foundation for later learning, but also improves a student’s life. Before Harris could write his paper, he had to investigate the claim; thus, Newman’s The Idea of University shaped Harris's opinion on a liberal education. Newman and Harris both agree that a generalized education helps train the mind to see culture in every situation. Moreover, this article states that a liberal arts education will teach a student how to think, how to learn, how to see the world as a whole, how to become a good teacher, and how to be happier.
First of all, Harris outlines that a generalized education teaches students how to think. Harris is arguing that the mind is like a muscle; hence, the more the mind works the stronger it will become. In other words, Harris is observing that knowing a little on many broad subjects is better than only knowing a lot on a single subject, an example is studying music when a student is a Politics major. As a result of the music class, scholars’ brains will be able to …show more content…
Harris completely believes that a liberal arts education causes students to gain characteristic that they could not obtain to otherwise. Harris' thoughts on the subject are reflected well through Newman's lecture. "A habit of mind," according to Newman, "is formed which last throughout life of which the attributes are, freedom, equitableness, calmness, moderation and wisdom." Harris and Newman are both emphasizing that knowledge is power, power is freedom, and through freedom students can obtain
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