Summary 2 Danielle Caldwell
504 words ENG 105-44
August 26, 2014
A Summary of
Andrew Delbanco's
"Three Reasons College Still Matters"
In Andrew Delbanco's article, "Three Reasons College Still Matters" which first appeared in Parade magazine, Delbanco legitimized a case for obtaining a college degree using three main perspectives: an economic one, a political one, and an intellectual one.
His first argument centered around the commonly-broadcasted statistic that college graduates make approximately one million dollars more in his or her lifetime than do those who only graduate high school. By also introducing several less-conspicuous economic statistics regarding the demographics of college students in the United States, Delbanco clearly established that students from wealthy American families have the best chance of receiving a quality education in our country. He rounded out his economic argument by giving a hypothetical scenario that equated the debate between political parties about whom should receive a college education to the health care controversy surrounding smokers.
Through this comparison, Delbanco demonstrated his belief that the value of further economic education cannot be altogether measured in only economic terms, but must also be evaluated by "what it can do for individuals, in both calculable and incalculable ways."
The next perspective that Delbanco utilized regarded politics. He quoted Thomas Jefferson, who once said that, "the basis of our government is the opinion of the people." Delbanco reiterated his interpretation of this statement by stating that, "If the new republic was to endure, it required, above all, an educated citizenry." Delbanco established that Jefferson's concept about educated citizens should be held at a higher importance than ever, especially with all of the misleading advertising techniques, corrupt political campaigns, and differed views that present-day society bombards its constituents with. He also made the suggestion that colleges incorporate a transitions-level...