Many who care about education in the humanities feel disheartened by the state of higher learning institutions. Enrollment in these subjects is dropping, and students often have only basic knowledge of literature and history. Professor James Shapiro from Columbia said teaching “Middlemarch” to today’s college students is like landing a 747 on a small rural airstrip. Technology, like messaging apps, digital cheat sheets, and ChatGPT, which writes essays on demand, has encouraged casual cheating.
One educator feels very grateful to teach in a men’s maximum-security prison. The students there, part of a for-credit college program, are very different from typical undergraduates. They are highly motivated and hardworking. They read each assignment two or three times before class and take notes. Some have been incarcerated for 20 or 30 years and have read books all that time. They could hold their own in any graduate seminar. Their tough life experiences make them less likely to fall for simple ideologies. Many are black and Latino, and while they may not agree with David Hume’s or Thomas Jefferson’s ideas on race, they still want to read those authors. They want to be part of the long conversation that makes up our civilization. These classes are often the most interesting part of their prison lives, sometimes the only interesting part.
It may seem illogical to make college more like a prison in today’s fast-paced world, when the quest of higher education often comes with sky-high prices and unclear rewards. However, with further inspection, there are some intriguing facets of this concept that warrant more investigation. This essay will explore the rationale behind the idea that colleges should adopt some features of jail life in order to provide a secure and enriching learning environment for its students while also fostering discipline, structure, and personal growth.
Contents
The Need for Structure
1.1 Setting a Schedule
Prison life provides its inmates with a highly regimented daily schedule. Meal times, exercise periods, and inmate work schedules are all strictly enforced. This sort of controlled setting allows people to concentrate on their own development and healing, free from interruptions. Similarly, a more regimented routine that emphasizes time management and productivity might be beneficial for college students.
1.2 Academic Accountability
In jail, inmates must answer for their actions. This idea is applicable to learning in a university context. Teachers can improve classroom efficiency by enforcing stricter attendance regulations that encourage regular class attendance and prompt homework submission. This sort of responsibility has the potential to inspire a more serious mindset in the classroom.
Self-Reflection and Personal Growth
2.1 Mandatory Work Programs
Inmates can learn vital skills and make positive contributions to society through prison employment programs. In a similar vein, colleges may mandate internships or other work-related experiences for their students. This kind of practical training can help students mature as people and better equip them to succeed in the real world.
2.2 Counseling and Support
Inmates are offered counseling services in prisons so that they can work through their problems and make plans for the future. Similarly, institutions can improve their support networks by providing counseling that goes beyond academics to address students’ emotional well-being and their professional development. Better mental health and progress in life are possible outcomes of taking a more holistic view.
Discipline and Responsibility
3.1 Strict Code of Conduct
Prisoners are expected to abide by a strict code of conduct. A stringent code of conduct in a university setting can promote accountability and civility among students. Academic honesty, college conduct, and ethical standards all fall under this category.
3.2 Consequences for Misbehavior
Misconduct in jail can lead to severe penalties, including segregation and loss of privileges. Similarly, universities may impose sanctions on students who repeatedly or seriously breach the code of conduct. A sense of duty and obedience to the law would be fostered through this.
A Supportive Environment
4.1 Safety and Security
The security of prisoners is of paramount importance in prisons. It is essential to the well-being of college students that the campus be a safe and secure place for them to learn and live. Enhanced security and support services can help people feel safe and secure.
4.2 Mentorship Programs
The security of prisoners is of paramount importance in prisons. It is essential to the well-being of college students that the campus be a safe and secure place for them to learn and live. Enhanced security and support services can help people feel safe and secure.
Conclusion
The idea of making college more like prison may seem radical at first, but there is much to be gained from the disciplined and encouraging atmosphere found in jails and prisons. Students will benefit from their time in college more and be more prepared for the difficulties of adulthood if they are provided with a regular schedule, opportunities for personal growth, discipline, and a safe atmosphere.
(FAQs)
1. Is this article advocating for the mistreatment of college students?
No way, no how. The article proposes that colleges take cues from jail life in order to create a more structured, disciplined, and personal growth-friendly environment for their students.
2. How can colleges maintain a balance between discipline and personal freedom?
Colleges can find a happy medium between stifling conformity and encouraging individuality by establishing fair policies and guidelines for student conduct.
3. What are some potential drawbacks of making college more like prison?
Possible negatives include pushback from libertarian-leaning students and worries about overregulation. Strive for a middle ground that encourages development without limiting unique thought.
4. How can colleges ensure the safety of students while maintaining a supportive environment?
Colleges should take steps to promote a safe and welcoming environment by funding security measures, offering counseling services, and launching mentorship programs.
5. Are there any colleges or universities already implementing some of these ideas?
While regulated schedules and mentorship programs have been tried out at several schools, their widespread adoption remains slow.
