Comparing The New Liberal Arts by Unger and College Prepare People For Life by Hrabowski

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Compare and contrast: The New Liberal Arts and College Prepare People for Life
In this paper, two specific articles from the textbook They Say/I Say are compared and contrasted. These two are: (i) The New Liberal Arts by Sanford Unger, and (ii) College Prepare People For Life by Freeman Hrabowski. The topic of this essay is important since it will help to demonstrate how the two writers handle what they consider as the threats or problems pertaining to the subject matter under investigation. The topic will highlight the differences and similarities of the writers’ perspectives, views, and attitudes, as well as their common ground. Thesis statement: both writers have the same sense of urgency as regards the issue at hand, they both talk about college costs and how it affects the issue at hand, and believe that a liberal arts education allows an individual to think broadly. Nonetheless, they differ in that one writer is a conservative whereas the other writer tends to have liberal philosophical leanings, and they each put emphasis to different matters.
Similarities
One of the similarities is that both writers have the same sense of urgency regarding the issue at hand. In The New Liberal Arts, Ungar demonstrates a sense of urgency pertaining to the issue of liberal arts education. Ungar (226) points out that “hard economic times inevitably bring scrutiny of all accepted ideals and institutions, and this time round liberal arts education has been especially hard hit.” With this statement, Ungar points to the fact that the liberal arts education has been scrutinized intensively by budget-conscious families, the news media, and policy-makers owing to reduced financial resources. Some budget-conscious parents may even reconsider their children taking liberal arts. Regrettably though, the critique appears to be fuelled by people’s reliance on several misperceptions (Ungar 226). In College Prepare People for Life, Hrabowski (260) also demonstrates a sense of urgency as regards the issue at hand by refuting the assertion by some people that college graduates are suckers. Even though some people may view college graduates this way, there is data demonstrating that job categories which are growing the fastest necessitate college degree as a minimum. This shows that college graduates are not suckers; college education is very important in securing employment. In the knowledge-based economy of today, the only things that is actually more costly than getting a college education is failure to get a college education. Thus a college education is of major importance in securing a high paying job in the current knowledge-based economy.
Secondly, both writers mention the cost of college and how it affects the issue at hand. According to Unger (231), “there is plenty wrong with American higher education, including the runaway costs. But the problem of costs goes beyond individual institutions.” Put simply, the cost of higher education in America is high, but the institutions of higher learning are not to blame for this; the government is to blame. The federal, state, and local governments do not support these institutions in ways that enable them to offer the type of affordability as well as access that is required. In essence, states are cutting college education appropriations and colleges respond by increasing tuition even higher; they reduce financial assistance for students and impose new fees. This makes the costs of higher education in America to be very expensive. The financial model of liberal-arts colleges is ever coming into question. Nonetheless, due to their dedication to increase need-based monetary support, the total cost of enrolling in a small liberal-arts institution could be less compared to that of a big public institution of higher education. Hopefully, every institution would find ways of reducing costs and develop differentiating traits which help the university carry on in the difficult periods ahead (Unger 231).
Hrabowski in his article counter-argues against a claim that college is costly and that learners are taking on debts that they cannot manage. Hrabowski (260) points out that “one strength of American higher education is the diversity of missions among our 4,700 colleges and universities.” In other words, there are affordable colleges and universities across America and one does not really have to go an expensive one if he/she cannot afford it. A student can easily find an institution for pretty much any educational budget or niche. Students and their families need to learn as much as possible as regards every college or university that they are considering. In addition, they need to estimate the total costs and carefully look at costs as well as expected loans and grants.
The third similarity is that both writers believe liberal arts education provides a student with a broader perspective as the individual will be able to think broadly. Ungar (231) pointed out that “delegations from China have been visiting the United States and asking pointed questions about the liberal arts.” Apparently, the Chinese understand the importance of liberal arts and wish to attemp...