Our English Syllabus

I thought Our English Syllabus was a great piece and really tackled, at least, Lewis' personal issues with education. HE distinguished what he thought the difference between education and learning was. He then exaplined the difference between education and vocational training. Education makes a good man whereas vocational training makes a good janitor, a good plumber, or a good chef. It thought his explanation of the difference between the two was clear and concise and a very good point. He then adds that education is for the rich man and vocational training for slaves.

My next and favorite point of the essay was the following, "The proper question for a freshman to ask is not 'What will do me most good?' but 'what do I most want to know?'" This is a great reality, one that I can, and pretty much any freshman can relate to. I came to Calvin as an engineer, after a semester of engineering I quickly realized that engineering would do me the most good, but it wasn't what I most wanted to know. After some soul searching I landed on Secondary Education. But my example is beside the point, DON"T PICK A MAJOR JUST FOR THE MONEY, pick something that you will love doing 10 or 30 years down the road and who cares if you make less money.

When he talks about scheduling for majors, I thought this was an interesting point also. There is not enough time in 4 years of college to do every class in every area you can think of. You have to pick and choose. Like with making requirements for a major, they can't make you take every single class offered, as Lewis stated "We have not time, in four years, for Greek, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. If one could be saved, it would be modern French." He really cements the fact that not all classes need to be taken, just the important ones. I really like this whole area of the essay, in fact, I really enjoyed the whole essay. Lewis is very good at captivating a "CS Lewis Novice" and opening up his perspective to people.