Ignorance in our Modern World and why I abhor it...

[GGT]

That a college education doesn't actually make people more knowledgeable about politics....

According to the article, political knowledge does it increase a decent amount throughout a person's life, it just doesn't increase more for college graduates. Apparently the best indicators of someone's political knowledge later in life are their grades in social studies (in high school), overall grades in high school, political participation in high school, and having politically knowledgeable parents. The best negative indicators are being female and being black.

The average result on the above was something like 2.5 out of 5.

Erm, I said the exact opposite above. Knowledge increases, but it doesn't increase more for people who went to college. And people who go to college tend to be the ones that were more knowledgeable to start with.

You'd better hope college increases knowledge of Poli Sci if you're teaching Poli Sci!

As for other majors, you mean it's the same quantifiable RATE of learning outside their major as it is for just high school grads....huh?


School House Rock Also, my younger son took that 'test' when he was in 7th grade (administered by his older brother, tho) and aced it. His social studies and history teachers love him, but the district wants him to be more into math and science.....

[Loki]

You'd better hope college increases knowledge of Poli Sci if you're teaching Poli Sci!

As for other majors, you mean it's the same quantifiable RATE of learning outside their major as it is for just high school grads....huh?


School House Rock Also, my younger son took that 'test' when he was in 7th grade (administered by his older brother, tho) and aced it. His social studies and history teachers love him, but the district wants him to be more into math and science.....

The point is that the people who'll major in poli sci are generally the ones who are already interested in politics.

If people go to college with no knowledge of politics, they generally leave college with no knowledge of politics.

I think everyone should learn to their strengths, though it's slightly disconcerting when a majority of the chemistry and engineering students and professors here are not American. Also keep in mind that knowing facts is actually not particularly useful (assuming you could learn them when you need it); the point of the social sciences is to teach people how to think and express those thoughts.

[GGT]

The best negative indicators are being female and being black.

Depends on the female.

Black gurls don't get enough beef?