NSM 21 - Becoming an Educated Person (Savage Earth)
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Potential Exam Questions, Exam #2

Potential Short Answer Questions

1. Cicarelli contrasts two purposes for a college education, while Gardner argues for three essential elements of a college education.

• What are the two purposes that Cicarelli compares? Which purpose does he favor?
• What are the three essential elements that Gardner argues for? Give an example from your own experience of some subject matter that you are currently studying. or that you studies in high school for each of the three elements.
• Where do you think Cicarelli and Gardner agree? Where might they disagree?

2. How did the function of universities change from the colonial period to the post-revolutionary period to the late nineteenth century? Your answer should include these factors for each of the periods:

• who attended?
• what was the goal of the institution?
• what were the courses of study?

3. According to Halverson, the modern university has three functions. Explain what they are and give an example of each (you can use examples from Sac State or other universities but be specific).

4. Ernest Boyer argues that the university has two essential goals. Explain what they are and give an example of each.

5. According to Howard Bowen, a baccalaureate degree shoudl be a balance of two things. Explain what they are and give an example of each.

6. According to Michael Blanco how are morals, ethics, and values different? How does culture or ethnicity play a role in values?

7. List at least five reasons for taking electives in college.

8. List at least five of your rights as a Sac State student.

Potential Essay Questions

1.Some people argue that college courses should teach "the canon" - a list of books that have been included in college courses for a century - philosophy from the Greeks, classic literature from England, etc. Other people argue that a college education should draw on literature and writing from a broad range of cultures.

Answer two of the three prompts below.

• Which side of this argument do you think Howard Gardner would be on? Apply Gardner's ideas to this issue. Write the argument you think he would make.
• How do Boyer's two goals apply to this argument? Which side of the argument do you think he would agree with? Why?
• How does Michael Blanco's analysis of morals, ethics and values apply to this issue? Explain which side of the argument he would come down on. Explain why.