The very goal of every American student in high school is to attend college as it is the most accessible. However, while some aim at attending university, the American education system has it that college is the most attainable and available to the average American student and hence the argument introduced by Delbanco. His main objective in his text regarding the definition of college is to invoke critical thinking in its readers to evaluate and understand the purpose of colleges and what they ought to offer students. This essay aims at assessing the assumptions and implications of the author's ideas.
Assumptions
Delbanco (2016) explicitly describes the function of colleges as institutions where knowledge is instilled in students and turn, applied in real-life situations. One assumption depicted in the author's text is the perception that college and university applicants fail to have the desire for character formation and hence suggests that colleges should emphasize more on teaching students how to think and what to think about and thus their ability to discern situations. While this may be true as depicted by historical evidence throughout the text, the fact remains that globalization has led to professionalism which is a critical factor for success and survival.
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A counterargument of the mentioned assumption is the fact that college applicants are most interested in the professional skills accrued from elite colleges and universities as they help improve the world and consequently transform societies. Additionally, another assumption made by the author is the fact that colleges fail to offer knowledge that develops a student’s ethical responsibility as well as the ability to perceive situations from others' lenses. However, this text finds that the author has taken for granted the emphasis placed upon these values in all higher education institutions. Research by Suskie (2018) suggests that the majority of colleges and universities offer courses on ethical responsibility and conduct to all students.
Implications
The author's main ideas are centralized on a trenchant defense of an education system where knowledge is not only impacted but also emphasizes on the shaping of mindsets to promote both ethical responsibility and the adequate application of expertise in the future (Delbanco, 2016). Furthermore, he emphasizes on the need to embrace such forms of colleges and hence the text finds that if the author's idea is accurate and valid, then such colleges should be a priority for America's democratic promise. He finds that the current college system, despite its drawbacks, has remained significantly centralized in the contemporary world and hence accepting this argument will mean for evaluation of colleges learning systems and the objectives behind the same.
Another consequence of the author's ideas is the urgency for the protection of college institutions for future generations which will facilitate a holistic approach to education and learning. Knowledge will be instilled alongside values and ethical standards that will guide the students in the real and shifting contemporary world during decision-making processes. This text finds that these consequences are acceptable as they only promise to improve colleges and the ways through which students receive knowledge. Nevertheless, there is one specific limitation to the author's text which includes the assumption that college applicants fail to be interested in ethical responsibility and personal values.
In conclusion, this text has evaluated the assumptions and implications of the author's ideas. Two assumptions identified include the assumption mentioned above as well as the disregard for the courses offered in education institutions aimed at promoting ethics and integrity. Additionally, the essay has found that while there exist implications of the main ideas, they are acceptable as they promise to improve education and learning.
References
Delbanco, A. (2016). Opening Plenary:" What is College For?".
Suskie, L. (2018). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide . John Wiley & Sons.
