Argument Essay: The Value Of General Education

Globalization, financial crisis, and income inequality have caused tremendous changes in our life as well as our access to higher education. School has become more expensive and high paying jobs always require a degree. People began to think that General Education requirements in degree seeking curriculums are now hinders for students in their educational path. The reason is these requirements take too much time, money, and resource to complete while students need to acquire a degree and a job as fast as possible. Moreover, their social and financial situations may not allow them to stay in school for too long. However, it is not quite accurate to say that GE courses are time wasting, education is always meant to serve our life in one way or another. The skills you earn in general education are not just about taking enough units, it is about the benefits you will achieve in the long term. Students are saying that they were forced to enroll in classes that entirely not related to their major. Therefore, spending one whole academic year for 12 Gen Ed classes wasted their time, money, and pile up their debts. It is …show more content…
In “The Value of General Education,” Michael W. Austin stated,” In a democracy, it is essential that citizens vote and participate on the basis of good reasons, and not be at the mercy of the political spin doctors,” or “at the mercy of the subtle manipulation used by some advertisers.” According to Joseph Urgo, everyday people are “bombarded by so much information,” so they need the critical thinking skill to determine the credibility of these information and be able to make the most informed decision that will later affect their lives. General Education prepares a person’s ability to judge whether it is political, deciding to vote for someone based on their real value or just empty promises; or everyday life, buying a product based on its quality or its flashy