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/lit/ - Literature

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1839790 No.1839790 [Reply] [Original]

Tell me, what is the purpose or value behind an english major?

These is this girl at my uni. I wasn't particularly interested in her, and when I found out she was an english major any chance of interest developing was squashed. I just have some bias against it, it seems.

So tell me. If you are an english major, why? What do you plan to do with it? What value does it bring to society?

>> No.1839794

the english major is for people who want to have the college experience but don't want to learn anything useful.

>> No.1839795

>when I found out she was an english major any chance of interest developing was squashed
Why? She still has a vagina, so she has a certain value. What's wrong with English majors?

>> No.1839796

>>1839790
I plan to become a college professor.

Others may also:
>Plan to teach
>Plan to go to law school
>Plan to be a journalist
>Plan to be some sort of creative writer
>Plan to just get a college degree. Some employers just want to hire someone with a college degree. They don't care what it's in.

Don't look down on someone because their interests are different from yours. That's called being an asshole.

>> No.1839801

I graduated in English years ago, and studied literature to PhD. It hasn't done me any specific good, and it hasn't done me any specific harm. A degree is a degree, and to be honest they're like clitorises - every cunt's got one, so it doesn't matter. If you think that studying law, for example, is always going to mean hurr durr I R LAWYER, then you're wrong. I've worked plenty of jobs next to people with law degrees, engineering qualifications, w/e - it makes no difference when you're all working the same job in a crappy oil company, for example.

>> No.1839804

>>1839795

I dont associate an degree in english with any form of value. I'm not looking to just get my dick wet either, so I just kinda passed.

>> No.1839808

>>1839801
>a crappy oil company
Can oil companies be crappy? They deal with fucking oil, that always guarantees profit for them and their employees.

>> No.1839811

There isn't one. Not in a capitalist, monetary sense, anyway.

That's not to say that there aren't jobs in the field, particularly research, professorships, or just secondary teaching. But it's not job training, it's just an education.

>> No.1839813

All an English degree means for me is basically more practice at writing. I'm not focused on the end result but what I get to do as I'm trying to reach it.
I would get a degree in actually important majors but math and sciences are too much work and I'm a lazy fuck. I'm pretty set on eventually being able to write for a living. Screenplays, novels, whatever. English major=getting better=profit later.

>> No.1839814
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1839814

>>1839804
>Determine a person's worth based on their college major.

Wow, man! It's like you're really an out-of-touch prick!

>> No.1839817

Why /lit/ gets trolled so easily? This is worst than /b/ sometimes.

>> No.1839820

>>1839817

Stop going to /b/.

>> No.1839824

why are you shitheels posting serious replies to this

>> No.1839826
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1839826

>>1839817
>This is worst

You almost got me. I like that.

8/10

>> No.1839828

>>1839808

Yeah, the money's usually better than the equivalent in another sort of company, but the work can be just as shitty. If you're a buyer, you're a buyer. Don't make no nevermind if you're buying cakes for Sainsburys or megalitres of Corexit. It's still boring as fuck. Having a degree in English has given me other interests though, so I spent most of my time on my last oil conrtact downloading poetry from the internet and having discussions on IM with chicks about books.

tl;dr money isn't so important.

>> No.1839829

>>1839824

Because it's a serious question. Don't be so insecure.

>> No.1839840

>>1839801

I recall a conference I went to recently. Somehow I ended up in a presentation about how the women's role in the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (or whatever the title of that story is) has developed over time. From the beginning, where the women were just kind of there, to modern iterations, where they are a central plot device which motivates and drives the heroes.

I couldnt help but tie this to some research I am doing. Research I can apply to the real world. I'm not hosting a book club where we analyze, in extreme detail, entirely fabricated environments. I dont analyze, in extreme detail, fictional beings.

I presume some of it is plain ignorance--which is why I started this thread. I see little value in the field, and am critical of those in it.

I recall reading Robinson Crusoe, Pygmalion, Dorian Grey, and some other novels in a class at uni. The class was effectively a forced book group meeting twice a week. I learned some interesting things from the periods of the books, but nothing I couldnt have learned more extensively in a history class.

anyway, I'm not trying to troll here, if it's coming of as such.

>> No.1839847

>>1839840

If you're trying to find some material utility for an English degree, you're not going to find it.

>> No.1839848
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1839848

That feel when you want an English major girlfriend.

>> No.1839851

>>1839840

"i'm criticizing something from a position of ignorance but trust me guys i'm not trolling"

>> No.1839869
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1839869

At one time majoring in literature was to understand finesse of art behind it, so that the student could become better Artist or teach it to the next generation so that the technicality may be admired. Nowadays its reduced to being a tool of people with agendas.

>> No.1839866

>>1839790
>What value does it bring to society?

Ha ha, it doesn't. That's why I'm English major. Society can fuck off; I'm trying to read here.

>> No.1839873

>>1839851

I'd bet you criticize things without fully understanding it. If you don't, many people do.


In any case, I presume
>>1839847

is correct. I am disappoint :(

>> No.1839876

>>1839873

Why would you be disappointed?

A literature degree isn't going to help you build a toaster, but I don't really see that as a big deal.

>> No.1839883

>>1839869
I haz a sad.

>> No.1839885

>>1839869

What sort of agendas?

>> No.1839888

>>1839876

I was expecting more.

>> No.1839894

>>1839885


Social agendas. Such as Gender equality, Anti-racism, Collectivism, anti-industrialism (neo-Luddites) etc.

>> No.1839895

>>1839888

More than what?

>> No.1839898

>>1839894

How do they use the study of literature to forward those agendas?

Those seem more like sociological issues.

>> No.1839902

>>1839895

More than "Yes, English is effectively a glorified book club."

>> No.1839906

>>1839898
Ever heard of Feminist literary criticism? Gay literary criticism? Entire courses and majors are dedicated to that shit.

>> No.1839907

>>1839894

This is very true. It's amazing how well thins can work out when you craft a fictional world, and define how characters behave. Then the idea seeps into the minds of the readers, making them believe...

>> No.1839910
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1839910

>>1839898
Easy.

Always interpret popular literature to suit your agenda. Also, popularize literature of low quality to people through your critic position if it suits your agendas.

e.g. Motorcycle Diaries

>> No.1839912

>>1839902
Books are important. Majoring in English gives the student a wonderful vantage point to observe and critique cultural and social movements. Literature is the study of humanity, my friend. "Glorified book club" is just an oversimplification.

>> No.1839917

>>1839912
>Literature is the study of humanity
no that's Anthropology.

>> No.1839919

>>1839906

But are those not valid windows of analysis?

>> No.1839938

>>1839912

When taken seriously and studied rigorously, I suppose so. Now, I'm not against the inclusion of the field in a liberal arts education and I am not bashing those who read for enjoyment.

But those who take it to simply get a degree-those who do not seek an education to supplement their career.

Now, I suppose I'll relent. An individual may enjoy the study, though it may not design that toaster as someone (you?) stated prior. Not somebody I'm looking for in a relationship, but I'll accept it.

>> No.1839945
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1839945

>>1839912
>thinking fiction is any more important than film or music, fine art, sculpture...

>> No.1839950

>>1839790
English majors are for people who can afford to study something they have an interest in. Like History majors and the such.

Anyone who hates these are capitalist pig dogs who only care for money. Enjoy your Engineering degree and still ending up Jobless post-graduation.

>> No.1839952

>>1839938

Why does an education have to be for a career?

Why can't an education be for an education?

>> No.1839957

>>1839952

In Amurica educations cost 50,000 dollars

>> No.1839966

>>1839957

And?

>> No.1839968

I can't think of anything more dim and hopeless than someone who only ever asks what the value to society is of any particular thing. Although it's adorable that you've internalised the idea that you only exist to serve other people (or 'the greater good'), I suspect that there are a lot of people for whom learning and the quest for knowledge is an end in itself -- whatever happiness, pleasure, and wealth accrues from that pursuit is incidental.

>> No.1839970

>>1839966
Are you retarded? When you pay such a big pile of money you should expect to recoup your investments. Of course, if you're a millionaire's child it means nothing for you.

>> No.1839973

>>1839968
>whatever happiness, pleasure, and wealth accrues from that pursuit is incidental.
that's pretty stupid.

>> No.1839974

>>1839912

>uses critique as a verb
>idiot

>>1839938

I think only dating people who design toasters is much too narrow.

>> No.1839975

>>1839970

Recoup my investment? Why can't I just buy something that I want?

>> No.1839976

>>1839973

Why do you say that?

>> No.1839977

>>1839975
If you sit on bags with money then feel free to buy what you want.

>> No.1839979

>>1839977

Why not just go into debt?

>> No.1839982

>>1839973

Not nearly as stupid as your vague attack on it.

It is not too complicated: if you aim directly at wealth, you're probably greedy and motivated by something which is ultimately unimportant: material things are immaterial after all. If you aim directly at happiness, you will never attain it -- happiness is the by-product of doing the things that we enjoy, it is the 'something extra' that comes from leading a flourishing and purposeful life, dedicated to things we love, which for many people includes the pursuit of education/knowledge.

>> No.1839992
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1839992

>>1839982
I am writing down your post and putting it an an actual treasure chest, which is somewhere in my attic.

Just sayin'

>> No.1840016

>>1839982
I enjoy making money.

And that post was full of contradictions. Words have meanings you know.

>> No.1840021

>>1840016

Money should never be an end in itself. Even dime-store philosophers like Ayn Rand realized this.

You're on a road to ruin, friend.

>> No.1840027

>>1840021
It doesn't mean that I (JamesBond) enjoys making money. It means that people might. Money is not means. Its the sport behind it. Its the same as saying I enjoy playing chess.

>> No.1840028

>>1840027

>Money is not means.

Money is always means.

>> No.1840029

>>1840027
Damn. Two errors.

*I enjoy
*money is not the end

>> No.1840039

>>1840016

You find yourself in the unfortunate position of having asserted something (contradictions!) while providing no examples. You are a dunce.

>>1840027

Yes, and other people might enjoy torturing other people. What is your point? Pleasure isn't everything after all.

>> No.1840043

>>1840027
>>1840016
>>1840029

>doesn't know what a comma is
>doesn't know what a semicolon is
>writes like a 6 year old child

>> No.1840062
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1840062

>mfw periods everywhere

>> No.1840082

>What value does it bring to society?
>implying everything I do must bring value to society

fuck off nazi.

>> No.1840089

>>1840082
degeneration. degeneration everywhere.

>>1839976
he said pursuit of knowledge is more important than happiness or wealth.

>> No.1840099

>>1839790
>when I found out she was an english major any chance of interest developing was squashed

It sounds like you're a very fickle person, and frankly I think you ought to be more concerned about that fact than any supposed usefulness to society offered by certain college majors.

>> No.1840109

What's the purpose or value behind any major?

Universities and Colleges have become factories.

Which is why I will embark on my life as a hermit the day of my 23rd birthday.

>> No.1840114

>>1840109

>Becoming a Hermit.

That's actually not a bad idea.

>> No.1840147

An English degree teaches you to how to use language effectively and how to effectively examine anything done through language. It also equips the degree holder with a familiarly to a large number of culturally important texts in addition to some history and some philosophy. Anywhere somebody needs to be persuaded or something communicated an English major will probably prove useful.

>> No.1840155

>>1840114
its quite romanticized nowadays

>> No.1840156

>>1840089

>he said pursuit of knowledge is more important than happiness or wealth.

I know what he said. Why do you think that's stupid?

>> No.1840174

Employers don't care about what field your degree is in. They care about where you get it from.

"A number of English graduates (about 7%) choose to undertake research, while many more use the communication and analytical skills they develop at Oxford in careers ranging from advertising to acting, including publishing, teaching, librarianship, public relations, journalism, the legal professions, management consultancy and finance. Recent English graduates include a projects coordinator in education for a London theatre, a trainee solicitor, and a teacher.

Helen, who graduated in 1977, is now an organic farmer and cheesemaker for her company Vesterhaugen Gardsysteri. She says: ‘Since graduating I’ve worked as a care assistant, a landscape gardener, a farmworker, a farmer and cheesemaker.

I currently sell hunting and fishing permits for a local group, am the livestock contact-person for an old Norwegian cattle breed, and run cheesemaking courses too.’

Jonathan, who graduated in 1985, is CEO of Curly Lizard Films. He says: ‘I’ve been an international documentary producer and director for 15 years, producing single films and series across Europe and Asia, after a lot of work experience and TV agency journalism. The training in independent thinking I gained from my degree has proven to be very beneficial to my career.’

Lucy, who graduated in 2009, is a freelance journalist for national newspapers. She says: ‘Whilst at Oxford I wrote news stories and features for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Independent and others. I am now a city reporter at The Evening Standard, and contribute to a wide range of newspapers and magazines. I have also had two books published this year: Pimp Your Vocab and A Guide To Uni Life.’"
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/english_language_and_literature/english
_language_a_4.html

Unless you think you know better than Oxford?

>> No.1840198

>>1840174

English graduates leave have fun and make lots of friends, then leave college with choices and good networks. Who in their right mind would study a vocational degree, only to leave college, discover that everything they learnt is irrelevant or obsolete, and that they're going to be working as a trainee under some guy who started straight from school and now knows the processes inside out that were imperfectly taught to the graduate.

If you've a burning desire to be a geologist or a mining engineer or something super-specialised then it's different (although you're no different to the English undergrad - you're almost certainly also studying something because you love it). However, if you're studying computer science or some shit like that, then you're wasting your time - I learnt programming and systems after I graduated in English and now make money from those previously mentioned oil companies doing exactly that - and I make more than the kids who come out of an IT degree because they don't get to use proprietary software at college. I don't give a fuck if you can program in FORTRAN, where's my fucking jet fuel?

>> No.1840205

>>1840198
This guy is right

>> No.1840209

>>1840198
Fuck you, Fortran is awesome.

>> No.1840226

>>1839968
>>1839982
I'm very glad there is at least someone on /lit/ that shares these views with me.

>> No.1840230

>>1840198
>discover that everything they learnt is irrelevant or obsolete
>the processes inside out that were imperfectly taught to the graduate
Are you for real? This is like when people say Science and IT majors can't get jobs once they graduate. Total bullshit.

>> No.1840233

>>1840209

Maybe so, but it won't help you get a job using ATLAS or something. I ain't hating on programmers - if it's what you love, then study it, make it your life. But don't pretend ot me that you're getting a better job than an English Lit. graduate afterwards. I've had dozens and dozens of jobs, and I've rarely met a person who does something that they studied. I've been friends with four engineering grads over my life, and two were accountants (Chemical Engineering and Electrical engineering), one was a croupier (mining engineering, I think) and one was an analyst using obscure as fuck systems same as me (another chemical engineering grad). Funny old life, eh?

>> No.1840236

>>1840230

Didn't say that at all - I'm telling you that they get jobs in other fields, just like English graduates.