The Place of Education

Freshman Inquiry: Portland

Readings:
William Cronon, Only Connect: The Goals of Liberal Education
Style: Typed, Double-Spaced, 12 point font, 1inch margins. Be sure to reference your sources
using an appropriate citation style
Length: 800-1,000 words (3-4 pages)
First draft due: October 15 in mentor session. Bring two copies of your draft since you will be
peer reviewing your paper in pairs.
Final draft due: October 22 uploaded to D2L at least one hour before main session.
Prompt: William Cronon raises several questions about the purpose for and meaning of a college
education. Your first essay of the fall term will address the following question: What is the
purpose of a college education?
As you answer this question, you should consider how your college education could support your
future and current contributions as a community member (residing in Portland or elsewhere), a
colleague, a family member, and/or a friend. In other words, how can a college education help you
participate in and impact the various communities in which you will participate? One obvious
reason to obtain a college education might be to find gainful employment. However, your essay
should move beyond this obvious goal to consider the philosophical reasons that one might need or
want to become educated.
Your essay should draw from your own experience, the ideas expressed in the Cronon reading we
discussed in class, as well as other relevant sources. You should refer to specific ideas raised by
Cronon, as well as your own experience as a student and member of a community (be that a city, a
town, or a country). Be sure to explain Cronon concepts to your audience in order to demonstrate
your own understanding of them and to explain how you are applying their terms.
Your essay should have a clear thesis, a compelling introduction that draws the reader in, and a
thoughtful conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about. Use detailed and
appropriate evidence from the readings, your own experience, and other sources to support your
ideas. In order to have a strong impact on your audience, you essay should be well organized and
carefully edited. Always be sure to proofread your work.
Some questions you should consider as you develop your essay: What are the reasons our society
as a whole values a college education? How did your own educationthe place and environment in
which you were educatedhelp shape your views towards education? How does your own
educational experience relate to or differ from the ideas presented in William Cronons essay Only
Connect? How might learning more about the place youre now living (Portland) contribute to
your education?