Analyzing Readings Focused on University life - Assignment Example

Thesis: Analysis of Core Readings Analyzing various readings helps in understanding various concepts and issues addressed. In such form of analysis, one may get the theme of the reading as well as argument made by author(s). On the other hand, if the authors are discussing same issues, one can be able to show how they have a common argument or show how they differ in argument concerning the issue at hand. Analysis will address the authors perspective, similarities, themes, and how they make conclusion of their issues. The two articles are related in many ways with a few differences. There are similarities in the two articles in that they have focused on University life. According to Harding, Students face many challenges when they join universities more so female students, "During my first week in college I was raped" (Harding, 1). In this scenario, we see the higher institutions of learning that should be concerned with gender equality is doing the opposite as there was no legal action taken towards the assailant and she wasted one year on a school-based hearing. According to Scruton, we learn that the eighteenth-century university education was only offered to men. Women were not given a chance to continue University education. "The university of Newmans day was a place in which men (and it was then an institution for men only," (Scruton 1). In addition, we see another similarity on the way universities offer social life to students whereby students from all walks of live meet and study. "It was a place where work and leisure occurred side by side, shaping each" (Scruton 1). On the other hand, we see Harding claiming that she was not a party girl but much of a rebel. She despised her body to pursue the destructive sexual encounters (Harding, 1). Harding being mirror of this society portrays that students engaged in immorality, and this led to social decay. In addition, similarity is seen as the two articles focus on the importance of college education. University education does not only focus on the expertise. "Society in which students absorb and the graces and accomplishments of the higher form of life" (Scruton1). On the other hand, we see Harding did not perform well in university but being an average student in university. She was able to learn the challenges of life, and now she is a great author (Harding, 1). From the above scenario, the two authors have used the theme of University to express their views to the society. They have used the university society to develop their theme that has been successfully conveyed to the audience. Universities should improve their teaching techniques to cater for the current technological changes in our society. Universities should come up committees to focus on the university education that is being offered to see that it is in line with the current societal changes like gender equality and technological changes (McKenzie 140). Additionally, there is a similarity in theme of the two articles. University should not only be a place for professional learning. University should also be a place where different social morals should be taught to ensure that there is a balance between intellectual and moral knowledge amongst the university community. Hence, students would be able to learn through "experiments in living". In this case, all freedoms are accorded in universities. It is argued that presence of freedom in Universities allows the graduates come out of the system becomes leaders that accord the same freedom to the entire society (Scruton 1). Consequently, the same perspective is seen on Harding whereby when she was at university, she was left to control her life independent of her parents and hence she was able to experiment on several issues such as sexual encounters. The opportunity to experiment gave her the opportunity to mould as a better person and this is evident as she is now a great novelist with several awards. As noted in this quote, "Apart from being a famous literary novelist who gets seven figures per book and wins all the prizes" (Harding 1). As noted by McKenzie, teaching should be enhanced from previous institutions, and new teaching techniques should be made available to the university staff. Additionally, morale should also be given to the teaching staff (McKenzie 140). On the other hand, concerning the topic, the two authors have a similar perspective about the higher institution of learning. According to Newman, the University is an institution that should embrace and nurture all forms of living and should not only focus on professionalism, but also the culture of the university community (Scruton 1). Additionally, Hardings life in university was an explicit demonstration that university was a diverse society with different cultures and characters with all the freedom. "This is often defended as a natural result of academic freedom" (Harding 1). Furthermore, the main concern of the authors is freedoms in the society. Freedom is seen as key to success in the society. Moreover, it is time for the leaders to embrace good leadership qualities for the development of society. The technological change that has occurred using internet has enabled educational freedom. As a result, education is available to many in the society. As noted in the article, “Modern technology has put this new kind of university within reach of everyone" (Scruton 1). Moreover, we see Harding struggling with her university life, even though she was an average student, she has made it life. As exemplified here, "Youre on academic probation again" (Harding 1). The in-text explanations used in both texts has positive effects in that they make the text acceptable in the real life situations. "Guess where I am calling from!" I greeted her. (Harding 1). Real life experience makes Harding work acceptable to the audience. On the other hand, Scruton uses explanations to give emphasis on what he want the audience to grasp "No platform" (Scruton 1). In addition, the authors have stipulated the solutions to the problems facing the current society that they can be solved if at all academic freedom is accorded to everybody. They have emphasized the importance of education and how it is the solution to societal problems. We see Harding emerging out a successful novelist and the recognition of Newmans works that we later published as the Idea of a University (Scruton 1). In this scenario, we see different talents coming out of our institutions of higher learning. The Arguments made in all the three sources can be concluded to be similar in the way that they all address the importance of education and the improvement of quality education in universities. Universities should not only focus on professionalism, but they should also embrace other forms of teaching like preserving of cultural practices. Hence, quality education can only be realized if proper technological and motivational mechanisms are accorded to the University Staff and society at large (McKenzie 141). Finally, there is a need to stick to technology on matters related to higher education. There is a strong believe that this will become a success in the future virtual learning technology in our universities. From this scenario, it will promote freedoms and democracy in society. Works Cited Harding, Kate. “How I bluffed my way through college.” Salon.com. Web 24 September 2014. . McKenzie, Jo. “Enhancing University Teaching with Teaching Enhancement Teams.” IETI 35.2(1998):140-149.Print. Scruton, Roger. “The Idea of a University.” Spectator.org. Web 24 September 2014. . Read More