Reply to Majoring in English—why so much disrespect?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]An example of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in Middle English. Understanding it is only the beginning.

"Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote 
 
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licour,

Of which vertu engendred is the flour."[/quote]
but, why do people need to understand this?   I read Shakespeare, Flaubert, etc.. but I don't see the point in needing to understand very old English.  My DH is English. He doesn't even like reading those types of books[/quote]

Which then begs the question, why do I need to study so many subjects that I will never use in my career? It's not necessarily the specific subject matter that's important, its the the thought processes and skills that we develop that's important.[/quote]
I can understand learning history, social science, but none of those classes are taught in ye olde English.  So, again, why does one need to understand Chaucer's old English?

I think it's important to read some classics, but I don't think it's important to read every classic.[/quote]

Majoring in English is not only (or primarily) about reading the classics. It's about thinking about literature and the ways that literature reflect (or doesn't reflect) society and our culture. It's about expanding our imaginations and empathy through seeing the world through others' perspectives. And it's about close reading and defending ideas with specific examples.[/quote]

I agree with you, but sadly that is what is lacking in today's society and spefically here on DCUM[/quote]

Dcum -- and the world -- would be a better place with more English majors and fewer business majors.[/quote]

We need more doctors and nurses. [/quote]
Who need to be literate and critical thinkers and be able to see/understand things from various perspectives. I think this thread has encouraged me to encourage my kid to go with their heart and do that English major. [/quote]
Then get ready to spend $$ on a graduate degree.[/quote]

Um....just like the doctors and many nurses also do? And all the lawyers? And a lot of business people with MBAs? 
She's likely going to pursue a masters anyway; so she might as well study what she loves. It doesn't preclude her from double majoring or minoring with another "more suitable iyo" subject area.[/quote]
well, lots of English majors go into law, not so much into med school.

But, the point is that, for the most part, English majors (and other liberal arts majors) need a grad degree to get a good paying job.

You don't need an MBA to get a good paying job, btw.

So, now your English major DC is going to have to double major in a more "suitable" major because they acknowledge that an English degree by itself doesn't do much.

And we've come full circle to the topic of the thread.

BTW, my kid is a dual math/CS major.  They know that a math degree by itself doesn't do much for you, but they just love math. But, they like CS, too. So, it works out for DC.  I do understand why people want to major in LA, but practically speaking, that's not enough. Even my kid knew that.  They are now at an internship for a tech company earning $20K for 10 weeks of work .

For the vast majority of people, a practical degree is much more beneficial and desirable. And we see that playing out in the real world when you look at which degree programs are impacted and which aren't.[/quote]

DP.
I’m not sure why you’re arguing against a degree you don’t have. It’s an odd hill to die on.

We see this differently. You see the English degree is the end, but I see it as part of a successful path. For many of us, a BA wasn’t our goal; [b]an advanced degree[/b] was. My English major made grad school a breeze because I was ready for the intensive reading and writing my program required.

I’m glad your kid is doing well. Sincerely. Guess what? So is mine with her liberal arts degree. Isn’t it wonderful that we live in a world that has room for both? And isn’t it great that both children were able to pursue their passions successfully? [/quote]
Um.. yea, exactly.. read the bolded.  English degrees need advanced degrees to get a good paying job, for the most part.[/quote]

Again… okay? I never planned to stop at a BA. A bachelors was merely a step on my path, not my final destination.

If a BS is your final goal, then great.

And again: if an English major was never part of your journey, why do you care so much that others took this path? It doesn’t impact you AT ALL. [/quote]

DP. It in fact helps PP. The more who major in English, the fewer competitors for their "good paying job." They should be encouraging more people to pursue these so-called wasted degrees.[/quote]

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