Is this a polite rejection

bugslet

I think there is room for some mefia studies, I just suspect if they let me control the courses, there would be 75% less of them, and those that survived would be 75% more rigorous. But that might go for many other uni courses.;)

Manxman_in_exile

But how do you know media studies is rubbish? That seems a bit prejudicial to me.


I'm a confirmed and convinced atheist - but I would have been happy doing a degree in either theology or divinity. Not for the subject matter - but for what the degree experience would have taught me - to think critically for myself. (So long, as I've posted previously, the degree is academically sound).


I think one of the best (and paradoxically worst) degrees you could do is economics. Microeconomics is relatively straightforward and "logical", but I don't think anybody on the planet really understands macroeconomics. I think we see proof of that all around us.


I used to think Post-Keynesian economics (eg monetarism) was rubbish, but now I'm not sure Keynes was right either.


I would have happily employed a media studies graduate before an economics graduate (all other things being equal).


(PS - I always found it amusing that the LSE's full name was London School of Economics and Political Science. Surely an oxymoron?)


EDIT: A tip I would give any potential student is: "Know your enemies!" And for me that would include theologians and economists and politicians. Apologies to Savvy_sue if your other half has what I presume is a masters in theology - but maybe he thinks the same as me!


I think media studies is a good way of knowing your enemy. You don't have to study what you like. Maybe everyone should be made to study something they don't like?

Manxman_in_exile

bugslet wrote: »

I think there is room for some mefia studies, I just suspect if they let me control the courses, there would be 75% less of them, and those that survived would be 75% more rigorous. But that might go for many other uni courses.;)

I agree. The whole point of a degree is a sifting/sorting/grading process. If 50% of school leavers can get a degree (as Blair wanted) what's the point of a degree?


Oh - I know! You need a 1st from a Russell group university! But they all charge the same full tuition fees regardless of how "good" the degree is. No economic sense whatsoever - but economics doesn't make sense!

Manxman_in_exile

bugslet wrote: »

Aw shucks Manx. And wiser to not argue with Lady Manx, leads to a more harmonious life.

I've known a few truckers with a couple of degrees, they prefer driving, it's simply a lifestyle choice.

She's not Manx, she's not as well qualified as me - but she's definitely cleverer than me! I try to keep my head down but sometimes I'm too stupid to remember!


I really admire people who make sensible lifestyle choices. Getting a degree doesn't mean you have to become a lawyer/accountant etc etc.

bugslet

I did actually get offers for uni, but my family needed money coming into the home and Tbh I was itching a bit to stop studying.

It's not something I've regretted, I know uni is learning to be independent, but I think I got quite a good life experience being an 18 year old not entirely unattractive female forklift driver:eek::rotfl:. Though possibly not what my mother hoped for!

Savvy_Sue

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

EDIT: A tip I would give any potential student is: "Know your enemies!" And for me that would include theologians and economists and politicians. Apologies to Savvy_sue if your other half has what I presume is a masters in theology - but maybe he thinks the same as me!

Yes, he has a Masters in Applied Theology, and originally a first degree (3rd class) in Mathematics with Philosophy - the ONLY person to have that particular qualification from that university. He said he knew they wouldn't fail him because they wouldn't have wanted to let him repeat. He could have done 'better' academically but was busy learning to be a sociable human being.

I have a BA in Theology, although my speciality was dead languages. :rotfl:

DH would probably agree with you about economics. But as far as theologians and politicians go, his main 'enemy' is people who don't / won't / can't think. He holds some views which are not mainstream, and would be very happy to be convinced that he's wrong, but few people are ready to 'take him on'.

bugslet

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Yes, he has a Masters in Applied Theology, and originally a first degree (3rd class) in Mathematics with Philosophy - the ONLY person to have that particular qualification from that university. He said he knew they wouldn't fail him because they wouldn't have wanted to let him repeat. He could have done 'better' academically but was busy learning to be a sociable human being.

I have a BA in Theology, although my speciality was dead languages. :rotfl:

DH would probably agree with you about economics. But as far as theologians and politicians go, his main 'enemy' is people who don't / won't / can't think. He holds some views which are not mainstream, and would be very happy to be convinced that he's wrong, but few people are ready to 'take him on'.

Mathematics with Philosophy? Sounds as logical as forklifting with embroidery!

That is a tease, savvy, non mainstream ideas from someone who can reason, that would be interesting to hear (though not argue with in my case).

Manxman_in_exile

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Yes, he has a Masters in Applied Theology, and originally a first degree (3rd class) in Mathematics with Philosophy - the ONLY person to have that particular qualification from that university. He said he knew they wouldn't fail him because they wouldn't have wanted to let him repeat. He could have done 'better' academically but was busy learning to be a sociable human being.

I have a BA in Theology, although my speciality was dead languages. :rotfl:

DH would probably agree with you about economics. But as far as theologians and politicians go, his main 'enemy' is people who don't / won't / can't think. He holds some views which are not mainstream, and would be very happy to be convinced that he's wrong, but few people are ready to 'take him on'.

I can understand completely. I want graduates to be able to understand different intellectual arguments. I'm not sure if we ((as a society) are moving away from that position or not.


PS - academically, I'd be more than happy to have a masters in applied theology.


EDIT: I'd quite like the dead languages too. It's not the subject that matters - it's the academic rigour.

Manxman_in_exile

bugslet wrote: »

Mathematics with Philosophy? Sounds as logical as forklifting with embroidery!

That is a tease, savvy, non mainstream ideas from someone who can reason, that would be interesting to hear (though not argue with in my case).

bugslet - that would be great degree! But (as I'm sure you are aware) maths and philosophy fit perfectly!


I'd like to see somebody do an economics degree that made "scientific" sense. (Or politics for that matter - Oh dear - we've had Cameron and Johnson!)

Savvy_Sue

bugslet wrote: »

Mathematics with Philosophy? Sounds as logical as forklifting with embroidery!

That is a tease, savvy, non mainstream ideas from someone who can reason, that would be interesting to hear (though not argue with in my case).

:rotfl: They are both extremely rigorous subjects: we tend to think of Philosophy as a bit 'woolly' but it's really not (and there are a few good jokes which demonstrate that).

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I can understand completely. I want graduates to be able to understand different intellectual arguments. I'm not sure if we ((as a society) are moving away from that position or not.

PS - academically, I'd be more than happy to have a masters in applied theology.

EDIT: I'd quite like the dead languages too. It's not the subject that matters - it's the academic rigour.

:rotfl: We've been moving away from people understanding intellectual arguments for years, as far as I can see. With the necessity for schools to get a certain percentage of pupils through SATs etc at particular levels, there's no time for enquiry. This is what you need to know: regurgitate it.

There's also an expectation growing at degree level that students have paid for this degree, so they 'deserve' good results. Well, I think there is, at any rate.

And returning to the OP, young people have certainly been sold a lie by our politicians: get a degree and you'll get a better paid job.

I'm glad you'd be OK with my dead languages too. I have used them in the workplace, once or twice, whereas my patristic theology and church history have been of limited use.

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

bugslet - that would be great degree! But (as I'm sure you are aware) maths and philosophy fit perfectly!

I'd like to see somebody do an economics degree that made "scientific" sense. (Or politics for that matter - Oh dear - we've had Cameron and Johnson!)

Never going to happen ... but then I think you knew that!