“Though he believed vocational education was
key to empowerment, the former slave’s writings offer a reminder that subjects
like literature and philosophy are still integral to social mobility”
By: E. Thomas Finan
Published: April 7, 2015; The Atlantic; http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/04/frederick-douglass-defender-of-the-liberal-arts/389904/
Level of difficulty: ***
BEFORE YOU READ
Before you move on to the text, access the site
below, watch the videos and discuss them
- “Frederick Douglass” http://www.biography.com/people/frederick-douglass-9278324/videos/frederick-douglass-full-episode-2186641949
QUESTIONS
1.
Which
of the sentences below would best serve as the topic sentence of the first
paragraph?
·
Technical
education is very important for African Americans
·
People
can only fulfill their dreams through education
·
Governments
that deny people an education are wrong to do so
·
People
realize their full potential through education
2.
Vocational
training does not go far enough in Douglass’ view; …………………………is/are also needed
to ensure ……………………………………
3.
To
what extent would Douglass have agreed with the current educational policy in
the US?
·
He
would have completely agreed
·
He
would have completely disagreed
·
He
would have partially agreed
4.
Overconcentration
on basic vocational training and neglecting………………means that ……..............................................................................................are
neglected.
5.
What
prejudicial opinion did Douglass seek to disprove by means of vocational
schools?
6.
The
purpose of Project Lead the Way is to………………………………………………………….
7.
“You
have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man”
Douglass stated. How could the slave be made a man?
8.
In
certain parts of the world, certain groups of people are denied an education.
What could be the reason for such denial according to Douglass?
9.
The
reading of the Columbian Orator and other works helped Douglass to do three
things: to shake off …………………., get to
better understand ……………………….and cease to be…………………
10.
Thomas
Jefferson, like Douglass, felt that ……………………………………………proving that great minds
think alike.
11.
Douglass
was able to become “a free man” thanks to ………………………………………….
Further reading: Douglass’ letter to Harriet Beacher Stowe: you might find it interesting to
read this lengthy letter to see what a man who had never been to school could achieve,
if he wished. The letter is a masterpiece in more senses than one.
WRITING TASK
Write an essay in which you defend
an education system which successfully combines a liberal arts education and
vocational training. Imagine you are making this suggestion to counter current
US policy on education.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS, DEFENDER OF THE LIBERAL ARTS KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This text is fascinating on all sorts of
levels: on the one hand it argues in favor of an education system that combines
vocational training and liberal arts, on the other it introduces a famous civil
rights activist that not everyone may have heard about. The text and ensuing
discussion will lead itself to a sophisticated essay task.
1.
The
fourth
2.
Liberal
arts, are, internal emancipation
3.
He
would have partially agreed.
4.
Liberal
arts, personal development, ethical maturation and preparation for civic life
5.
That
African Americans were incapable of economic self sufficiency
6.
To
expand economic opportunity
7.
By
gaining knowledge / through gaining knowledge
8. Education would make them unmanageable
9.
The
psychological web of slavery, his humanity, an uncritical instrument of his
master’s will
10.
The
principal ways to ward off tyranny was to illuminate the minds of the people at
large.
11.
The
Columbian Orator
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