They Say / I Blog

Students as consumers: E. Michele Ramsey on the language of capitalism in higher education

Is college a public good or a consumer good? E. Michele Ramsey asks this question in her May 5, 2020 post on the blog Mere Rhetoric. She critiques the rise of consumer metaphors in higher education, showing how this “language of business” affects students’ and society’s perception of the purpose of college. In the face of the pandemic and the uncertainty of whether college campuses will reopen for the fall, the economic value of a college education is under scrutiny as students seek to ensure they’re getting their money’s worth.

E. Michele Ramsey, "Consumption, COVID-19, and Consequences of Language in Higher Education," Mere Rhetoric: Musings on Communication, Pop Culture, and Politics, 5 May 2020

 

Power couples: Cardiff Garcia and Stacey Vanek Smith on marriage and income inequality

Another way the rich keep getting richer? Marriage. This NPR podcast from February 24, 2020 explains the phenomenon of “assortative mating,” which occurs when people of similar education levels and socioeconomic status marry each other. Hosts Cardiff Garcia and Stacey Vanek Smith interview economist Branko Milanovic, who argues that this trend furthers income inequality in the U.S.

Listen to the podcast first, and then respond to the questions. The questions include time stamps to help you navigate to particular parts of the podcast. You can also refer to the transcript that appears below the podcast on the website.

Cardiff Garcia and Stacey Vanek Smith, "For Rich or Richer," The Indicator, 24 February 2020