Part 1. (original post) should be at least 300 words, use proper spelling and capitalization, and completely answer all this question:

Which of the three theories about college in Menand’s article most closely matches your own reasons for seeking a university education? Explain your reasons for coming to college, using quotes from Menand to explain your perspective. Use the BSU Mission Statement, Statement of Shared Values, Statement of Diversity and Inclusivity, &/or any other document (for example, something from the website of your major, or from a particular extra-curricular activity, etc) to explain how attending BSU fits your reasons for pursuing a college education.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/06/06/live-…

https://academics.boisestate.edu/planning/accredit…

https://president.boisestate.edu/values/statement-…

https://go.boisestate.edu/current-students/2017/03…

Part 2. For your first set of responses, reply to at least three of your classmates’ posts by bringing The Allegory of the Cave into the conversation. Specifically, write about how your classmates’ stories relate to Plato’s allegory and how Socrates might respond to your classmates’ ideas about the purposes of college. Would he agree with their explanations about what higher education should be for? Use quotes from Plato’s text to support your ideas. Make each response at least 100 words.

First classmate:

Before reading the article written by Louis Menand, I wasn’t sure what the real purpose of why I chose to pursue a college degree was. Out of all three theories presented, Theory 3 seemed to depict the real reasoning behind why I chose to attend college spot on. On page 5, paragraph 6; Menand states “College is basically a supplier of vocational preparation”. For someone who isn’t a liberal arts student like myself, I have only one reason to attend college; to become a nurse. In a job field that requires a fine tuned skill set, and specialized training, a class such as English 101 isn’t nearly as important as a class on the anatomy of the body is to a nursing student. On a course to a career that is as rigorous and competitive as nursing, you must be job focused and follow a clear set in stone path. Unlike in Theory 2, I don’t get satisfaction and motivation from what I learn, at the end of the day I will only feel satisfied when I know I’m prepared for my job outside of college. As much as I enjoy good grades, they’re not my motivation either, the courses I need to complete to get a nursing degree are very important, as well as what is taught in them. If I were to take any class just to receive a good grade my path to becoming a nurse wouldn’t be attainable, like Theory 1 students. The information I obtain from the classes I take must be applicable in my line of work. Boise State University upholds my purpose for coming to college because the university allows students to “pursue excellence with diligence, perseverance, and continued improvement.” found in the statement of shared values. For a student who identifies with Theory 3, we must have perseverance and diligence so we will not waver from the specialized path we are set on. But, to pursue a career in a specialized job such as nursing, you must be able to continually improve and add on to the skill set you are creating to get to the job you set out to achieve. As I continue on my pursuit of a degree in nursing, those three characteristics will be critical to my excellence in the future of my career.

Second classmate:

Of Menand`s three theories, the theory that most closely matches my own reasons for seeking a university education is theory two. Although, after reflecting on my own reasons, I am a mixture of all three theories. This perspective, may be hard to grasp as each theory contradicts each other. I am at college to not only get a degree and good grades in the process, but also to learn and obtain skills that I will be able to apply to a job. Although I carry many traits from all three theories, theory three is the one I hold the least characteristics of. I know what my general direction of career path is, but I do not know the exact path. I would love to be in some part of marketing and use Spanish to reach people I normally would not be able to if I do not obtain a Spanish degree (which would ultimately help my fluency). I am in college to learn more about the world around me, gain valuable knowledge, and to better my future. Grades use to be everything for me, but after being diagnosed with several very serious concussions, school became very hard for me. I use to be able to comprehend material and take a test on it accurately. For several years in high school I struggled with trying to reteach my brain how to learn and pull that knowledge for exams. Growing up I was at the top of my class. As theory one states “College is, a four-year intelligence test” (Menand), but in my own experience, I know that it is not an intelligence test. I give all my time and effort into my studies. I am smart. I know I am smart, but my scores sometimes do not show that. My grades may reflect the many concussions, but not my intelligence. I have come to the university to better myself and find my niche in the world. I may not have all the answers of what I want to be when I grow up, but I do know that getting a higher education is necessary for me to succeed in life. Boise State University’s Statement of Shared Values states that “Boise State University is committed to personal and social development, educational excellence, and civic engagement.” This is the reason I am at BSU. I am here to grow as a person and higher my knowledge. I am here to succeed.

Third classmate:

Of Menand`s three theories, the theory that most closely matches my own reasons for seeking a university education is theory two. Although, after reflecting on my own reasons, I am a mixture of all three theories. This perspective, may be hard to grasp as each theory contradicts each other. I am at college to not only get a degree and good grades in the process, but also to learn and obtain skills that I will be able to apply to a job. Although I carry many traits from all three theories, theory three is the one I hold the least characteristics of. I know what my general direction of career path is, but I do not know the exact path. I would love to be in some part of marketing and use Spanish to reach people I normally would not be able to if I do not obtain a Spanish degree (which would ultimately help my fluency). I am in college to learn more about the world around me, gain valuable knowledge, and to better my future. Grades use to be everything for me, but after being diagnosed with several very serious concussions, school became very hard for me. I use to be able to comprehend material and take a test on it accurately. For several years in high school I struggled with trying to reteach my brain how to learn and pull that knowledge for exams. Growing up I was at the top of my class. As theory one states “College is, a four-year intelligence test” (Menand), but in my own experience, I know that it is not an intelligence test. I give all my time and effort into my studies. I am smart. I know I am smart, but my scores sometimes do not show that. My grades may reflect the many concussions, but not my intelligence. I have come to the university to better myself and find my niche in the world. I may not have all the answers of what I want to be when I grow up, but I do know that getting a higher education is necessary for me to succeed in life. Boise State University’s Statement of Shared Values states that “Boise State University is committed to personal and social development, educational excellence, and civic engagement.” This is the reason I am at BSU. I am here to grow as a person and higher my knowledge. I am here to succeed.