Poverty, Wealth, & Inequality Study Notes
Poverty, Wealth, & Inequality Study Notes
Overview of the Reading Response Assignment
Course: SOCL 3030 (01)
Assignment Type: Reading Response
Submission Details:
Due date: Tuesday, January 13 by 8:00 AM
Format: Word document (.docx) submitted via Brightspace
Bring a hard copy to class on due date
Instruction: Use college-level writing; edit for clarity.
Questions for Discussion
Disenchantment with School
Reflect on personal experiences; identify the year or grade of disenchantment.
Description of a "Post Capitalist Economy"
The author provides a concise exploration of this economic framework, emphasizing the shifting dynamics of production and labor in a society post-dominance of capitalism.
Percentage of College Students Cheating
Assess personal perception; estimate the percentage of college students who engage in cheating on tests or assignments.
Options for response:
YES
NO
Not Sure
Transactional Attitude of College Students
According to the article, college students often display a "transactional attitude," meaning they view their education as a commodity to be purchased rather than a transformative experience. This perspective influences their engagement and dedication to learning.
Concerns About Higher Education
Fischman and Gardner argue that higher education is in peril due to various systemic issues, including the commodification of education, decreasing public investment, and increasing student loan debt, all undermining the educational integrity.
Factors Leading to the Commodification of Education
The article discusses how changing societal expectations, market pressures, and the pursuit of student satisfaction contributed to a viewpoint where education is regarded as a product rather than a public good.
Agreement with Aspects of the Essay
A reflective response discussing points of agreement with the author’s arguments, potentially touching on issues of educational quality, integrity, or market forces.
Challenges to Points Made in the Essay
A reflective response where challenge to the author’s assertions may be presented, perhaps highlighting counterarguments or alternative viewpoints on education and economic practices.
Final Instructions
Ensure responses are articulated clearly, employing college-level writing styles.
Edit your work thoroughly before submission to maintain clarity and coherence.
Bring a printed copy of your answers for in-class discussion on the due date.
Overview of the Reading Response Assignment
Course: SOCL ()
Assignment Type: Reading Response
Submission Details:
Due date: Tuesday, January by AM
Format: Word document (.docx) submitted via Brightspace
Bring a hard copy to class on due date
Instruction: Use college-level writing; edit for clarity.
Completed Reading Response
Disenchantment with School
Response: For many, the year of disenchantment often occurs around the th or th grade (- for current seniors). This shift typically happens when the focus of schooling transitions from intrinsic learning to the extrinsic pressure of standardized testing and the college application process.
Description of a "Post Capitalist Economy"
Response: The reading describes a "Post Capitalist Economy" as a framework where traditional market-driven production and profit-centric labor dynamics shift. In this model, society moves past the dominance of capitalism toward alternative structures—such as collaborative commons or information-sharing networks—where the primary focus is no longer solely on private accumulation of wealth.
Percentage of College Students Cheating
Response: Based on personal perception and general data cited in similar academic studies, it is estimated that approximately to of college students engage in cheating on tests or assignments at least once during their academic career.
Personal Assessment: YES
Transactional Attitude of College Students
Response: According to the article, the "transactional attitude" refers to students viewing their education as a commodity or a product to be purchased. Instead of seeking a transformative intellectual experience, they approach college with the goal of acquiring a credential (the degree) in exchange for tuition, often prioritizing the grade over the actual process of learning.
Concerns About Higher Education
Response: Fischman and Gardner argue that higher education is in peril due to systemic commodification, diminishing public investment, and the ballooning of student loan debt. These factors undermine educational integrity by forcing institutions to operate like businesses and students to operate like consumers.
Factors Leading to the Commodification of Education
Response: The article identifies changing societal expectations, intense market pressures, and the institutional pursuit of student satisfaction as key drivers. This environment repositioned education as a private product meant to satisfy "customers" rather than a public good meant to foster civic development.
Agreement with Aspects of the Essay
Response: One might agree with the assertion that the "degree as a ticket to a job" mindset reduces the depth of classroom engagement. When the primary goal is vocational security, students are less likely to take academic risks or explore subjects outside their immediate career path.
Challenges to Points Made in the Essay
Response: A challenge to the author’s assertions could be that the transactional attitude is a rational response to the rising cost of tuition. Because students are taking on significant financial risk, they are forced to view their education through an economic lens as a matter of survival in a volatile labor market.
Final Instructions
Ensure responses are articulated clearly, employing college-level writing styles.
Edit your work thoroughly before submission to maintain clarity and coherence.
Bring a printed copy of your answers for in-class discussion on the due date.