We began our semester by reading, discussing, and writing about the purpose of an education. Think about the essays and carefully consider the theses presented by the authors. For example, in the excerpt from “The Idea of the University,” John Henry Newman makes an argument for a liberal arts education while claiming that the purpose of an education is to create free-thinking, dutiful citizens. On the other hand, Plato asserts that we, like cave dwellers, live according to illusions or shadows that are presented to us as reality. Similarly, Immanuel Kant, Steve Jobs, and the valedictorian (video) all make claims about the value of education. Now, continue the conversation about the purpose of education in a formal essay in which you make a specific assertion about this topic or share a significant moment in your life which is centered on an experience with education. Think about your own goals and expectations (and, possibly, how these views have been reinforced, modified, or transformed by our class discussions, Blackboard posts, assigned readings, and video clips). It is critical here that you include concrete, vivid examples, specific details from your experiences, and/or references to the readings that help develop, explain, and support your assertions.