Is it worth studying literature (and arts humanities in general) at anywhere but an elite university?
I'm not sure how it is with the Ivy Leagues and other top American schools, but in England Oxbridge seems to have the monopoly on top intellectual careers (journalism, criticism, etc.).
If you're going elsewhere is it wise to read for a degree that won't qualify you for a job outright?
>is it wise to read for a degree that won't qualify you for a job outright
dailymail.co.uk
Tbh, if you have the opportunity to study Philosophy, History or Literature at Oxbridge, fucking take it. Even if it does provide useless skills, that degree is still pretty gold.
Plus it'll be a fairly good experience (just make sure you avoid shitty leftie professors).
>just make sure you avoid shitty leftie professors
This, always make sure that your personal views go unchallenged. This is the key for a proper education in philosophy and the humanities in general.
I already SAID that
If you’re in the UK a degree from Oxbridge is gold no matter what discipline. After that, unis like Edinburgh, Durham and St Andrews are still very well appreciated. It’s once you get out of the Russel Group that things start to truly devalue.
It's virtually impossible for a right-wing person to have their views unchallenged at a university. I only advise avoiding certain professors for sanity's sake.
The best way to tell if someone either a) doesn’t go to university, or b) is a /pol/tard brainlet, is to let them tell you how horrible it is to be right-wing at uni.
Yes, there are more leftists at university, but you’re absolutely braindead if you think it’s anything close to driving anyone ‘insane’.
t. leftie
That’s the point though, I’m not a leftie. I’m right-wing, most of my friends are too. The only people that have a hard time being right-wing at uni are retards that get offended when the lecturer makes a joke about Trump or Brexit.
Frankly, if you can’t cope with the mild left-wing bias of academia then perhaps you shouldn’t be at uni.
I did a masters of literature at a university that is very respected for its literature program and honestly I found it to be a bit of a glorified book club. I was an economics major and I mostly study philosophy so I might have been disproportionately annoyed by people’s willingness to spout stupid opinions and the general acceptance of group discussion as a learning tool as opposed to being fed useful information by a knowledgeable professor. I am brilliant (4.0 after only taking one English class in undergrad) but English professors seem to have a limit to their value as smart people. By this I mean, most of them are specialized in a silly way and I think scholarship on literature is so far behind the artists that create it. Studying literature in an academic setting is a waste of time unless you need your hand held. If your aim is to understand literature, study philosophy in school and read literature on your own. If your aim is to write, live in crazy environments amongst degenerates or other absurd creatures of our society (rednecks, the rich etc.). There is much more to learn from in our fucked up system than what a washed-up enjoyer of novels can tell you in a university setting
Tbh this is anecdotal evidence but I did my bachelors in philosophy and there were a fair amount of conservative professors and students. Leftists are definetly more common but I had a (brilliant) aesthetics professor that once told us "concentration camps are a manifestation of the highness of human spirit". I think I had a whooping one subject with a focus of gender/queer theory, and even then it was a fairly interesting class that followed developments on Austin's speech acts.
I studied comparative literature. If you're doing it for the interest and not for the job possibilities, then I'd say yes. I'm on a different masters right now and Comparative Literature enriched me on many personal aspects of my life. I don't regret it, it has a life long value to me. I'm going to work as a mason now.
I can't afford to go to college. Thanks, America.
Get a visa to stay in Denmark. Get a 10 hours study job there and the goverment pays for your education + they pay you 855 dollars pr. month to study.
And travel back to America when you're done with your education.
I can't even afford to move. Plus, I don't think I can take my dog with me.
>they pay you 855 dollars pr. month to study.
Which should be around the price of one beer in Kobenhavn
I can't either, but I'm still doing it. If I don't finish my degree and land a job, I'm practically fucked. Demand is high, at least.
Too bad you can't afford it. I think most places are fine with you having your dog there. Maybe a little harsh on your dog, since the climate/temperature change is probably hard.
Lel yeah, but just brew your own beer. Piece of cake.
Wait. Scratch the last part, because I actually think that's illegal now.
>journalism, criticism
>intellectual careers
Very nice bait.
>worth studying literature at anywhere but an elite university?
No. Studying literature is worthless on its own. Big name diploma will at least give you some employability prosepects.
Maybe once I finally get to go to work (soon) I can save up a load of money and move. She's also a staffordshire terrier (and looks like a pitbull) so isn't there a lot of garbage about that in other places? Ironically, she's the friendliest dog I've ever been around. Would Denmark be okay with that? If the climate is that bad I can get her a coat. She loves the snow, though.
Worthless how? Job related?
I completely disagree with you. You gain a lot from studying literature in Denmark.
Journalism here is shit though, but that seems to be the case for America as well.
Don't know why there's such a rumor. Dogs are usually not a problem here, most apartments allow dogs as far as I know.
And that sounds cool, you should defineately consider that. Immigration was a big topic last election and there it was mentioned on several occations that Denmark wants more Americans to come study/live in Denmark (contrary to middle-eastern countries).
I haven't seen snow since last february though. Odd as it is, we seem to get less and less snow each year.
This sounds insightful but neglects the fact that one can gain the life experiences that supplement good writing as well as the aid of academic tools. It's not as if your life is over once you graduate. And it's especially not as if your life is not being lived (albeit it is to a usually lesser extent than one outside of it) while you're in Uni. I guess if you're arguing from a "it's a waste of money" aspect then maybe your philosophy makes sense? But I really think it depends on your type. I'm not "brilliant" but I love academia. I love writing essays and I love learning different theories and how to become a better reader and writer. And I learn a lot from studying on my own as well. It's all good fun really, not to mention the experiences I get and observations I make throughout daily life. Why have one and not both if you can afford it?
She's a medium-sized dog, if that matters. Would she be allowed at university with me if I went? Or stores (not grocery stores, I'd imagine)? I had planned to do search and rescue with her and since she was a tiny puppy (she's almost two now) she has gone absolutely everywhere with me. I couldn't imagine leaving her somewhere, as crazy as that sounds.
Also, would I have to learn Danish?
It doesn't matter which country you're studying it - it's worthless all the same because it doesn't impart any applicable knowledge or skills that couldn't be easily gained on your own while pursuing a meaningful education. As other user stated: it's basically just a giant book club.
>Would she be allowed at university with me if I went?
Haha I'm not so sure about that. She probably would at RUC, but that's a hippie/marxist university. I'm not sure they would allow her at Copenhagen University or Southern Denmark. Also, it's likely easier to get admitted into Southern Denmark and RUC than Copenhagen.
I don't think they allow dogs in the super market no, but I'm not sure, I order all my groceries online and get them delivered.
>I couldn't imagine leaving her somewhere, as crazy as that sounds.
Nah I get it. I know what it's like to be so connected with ones pet.
>Also, would I have to learn Danish?
Honestly, no, I don't think so. All the foreign students I know don't speak it. However, I think you'll find yourself to be motivated to learn it once you live here. But all danes speak english. We have english classes from kindergarten and every dane watch american television. Elders speak it and all young people speaks english fluently.
I guess I can look into it more before I just give up and resign my life to being a plebeian forever despite wanting to go to college.
P.S. does it cost extra to have your groceries delivered and do they touch your food without gloves?
>It's all good fun
>Why have one and not both if you can afford it?
Well, surfing and partying 24/7 for a few years is also good fun especially if you can afford it.
>because it doesn't impart any applicable knowledge or skills that couldn't be easily gained on your own while pursuing a meaningful education
That goes for every education buddy. If you're at University to be taught then you belong in grad school. University just apply you with the necessary material, you have to educate yourself.
Also, how is it not applicable? Do you seriously think comparative literature is just about reading fiction all day long?
Further, how are you familiar with the structure of all literature studies worldwide?
Or are you just basing your assumptions on retard heuristics?
>learn Danish
Just imagine you're a German with an extra chromosome and a severe speech impediment. That's basically Danish.
You should definitely do that, we have a socialist goverment so they'll try to make it as easy as possibe for you (if you're not middle-eastern).
It doesn't cost that much extra, about 1.42 usd. However, you do have to coordinate your food schedule for the entire week, which can be a burden for some.
This.
Still, fuck you mate.
This literary autodidact meme needs to die
>The only people that have a hard time being right-wing at uni are retards that get offended when the lecturer makes a joke about Trump or Brexit.
I don't care about that. What shits me are professors who construct courses around their historiographical bias, which almost always is leftist.
I coordinate everything in my life so this shouldn't be much of a challenge. I'll look into it like I said. Would distance learning also be an option or to get the assistance for learning I have to be in the country itself? I can see why since I'd be contributing to Denmark but I still have to ask.
This.
Reading Dantes La Comedia does not make you a literature master.
I'm not sure. But I would asume they would want you to live in Denmark.
But take the bachelor in 3 years or the long run for the master in 5 and you can go straight home afterwards. There's no student debt.
>That goes for every education buddy.
>University just apply you with the necessary material, you have to educate yourself.
Maybe in pointless autofellatory disciplines like literature. Guidance and mentorship in intellectually demanding subjects with objective contribution and success criteria is on the other hand invaluable.
>Do you seriously think comparative literature is just about reading fiction all day long?
It pretty much is. Critical literary analysis isn't some complex skill that requires years of education or any ingenuity for that matter.
>Reading Dantes La Comedia does not make you a literature master.
Neither does a degree in literature. That's the point.
Based on what? You obviously know nothing about neither literature or the educational system.
If you need guidance and mentorship and can't learn on your own, then you're too autistic for University anyways.
Fair warning OP, a degree from any euro uni outside of Oxford/Cambridge isn't worth much
Based on my experience and observations made in one of the best universities on the continent. You don't have to get mad, user. Nobody judges you here for wasting years on wank. Being dishonest with yourself is harmful however.
>If you need guidance and mentorship and can't learn on your own, then you're too autistic for University anyways.
Yes, indeed, I am being highly autistic when suggesting universities might be educational institutions and not just libraries with certification centres attached. You shouldn't engage in discussion of unis if you attend a factory school, sweetcheeks.
you went to some shitty euro school that no one has heard of didn't you
Honestly, what is the value of an Ivy League degree anymore? If you don't get a job or other position handed to you on a silver platter from networking, and you have no intention of making a career from pure academia, does it impress anybody?
>whats the value of this thing, aside from all these valuable things
rly makes u think
>when the lecturer makes a joke about Trump or Brexit.
That is actually triggering, though. Not because I am particularly fond of Trump or Brexit, but because it's so inane. It's pretty sad how simpletons can make it so far within academia.
...
"American" staffordshire terrier is unfortunately on the list of banned dog breeds in Denmark. You will not be able to bring your dog (unless it's a mix of staffordshire and a non-banned breed): da.wikipedia.org
Dane here, literally never heard any politician say they want more Americans to come to Denmark.
SDU is famous for their comparative literature programme (possibly because the programme requires students to read literature in German and French as opposed to just English and Scandinavian), but AFAIK the other unis lead to nothing but unemployment.
A few majors are taught entirely in English, but none of them are related to literature AFAIK. If you want to enter a programme taught in Danish you would need to learn the language before enrolment.
FFS you dumbass idiot, Denmark is not socialist. Even if the Social Democrats were considered socialist, we still have a right-winged government ATM.
Or maybe you don't notice the right-winged biases because you agree with them.
No matter where you live, it's tough to get a job with a foreign degree and no experience. It would be much better to stay and work at least for a year after leaving uni.
This only applies to EU-citizens (and possibly Norwegians and Swiss people). Not only are non-EU citizens not qualified to get SU, they have to pay tuition to study (40-45 thousand kroner per year, IIRC).
I'm studying a humanities degree at Oxford at the moment. I would say the main benefit is the rigorous work load, encouragement of independent engagement with your subject, and being surrounded by people who are willing to have academic conversations with.
Most of those things can exist outside of the institution if you have a good library and self discipline. If you go to a Russel group I'm sure you can find a group of friends who are as interesting as you are, and if you post on lit you're probably on the right track to having the Oxford mindset.
In short you'll regret it either way but Oxbridge isn't a substitute for a good attitude.
>Or maybe you don't notice the right-winged biases because you agree with them.
Like what?
>Tfw studying an English degree at a shitty uni and still only barely getting by, despite doing tons of work.
Am I retarded?
>"American" staffordshire terrier is unfortunately on the list of banned dog breeds in Denmark. You will not be able to bring your dog (unless it's a mix of staffordshire and a non-banned breed): da.wikipedia.org
Depressing. She is mixed with labrador but I won't even chance it now. Guess I'm doomed to retardation here in America.
>Art and History major at a top lib arts college
feels GOOD
>struggling at a shitty uni
Yeah actually. What kept you from going to a sub-30% acceptance rate college with great financial aid?
I studied in philosophy and got a job in wall street 6 months in as a researcher. So uh no.
The problem is in the US if you don't go to a top school they are going to think you are stupid no matter what you study. That's mostly because HR departments are filled with morons.
Thanks for reminding me of better days, OP.
>ywn
I've got an Arts degree from an elite Australian university.
I think it was worth it.
And then you move on. Once you’re gone it’s just in the past anyway. The thing I actually miss about Cambridge (I was part of an international programme there) was that all of fellow students were so much more knowledgeable about everything than regular people. (By regular people I also mean people from most American universities, who don't know much about anything.) I made my best friend there because I was reading This Side of Paradise on a bench and we started talking about it. It was strange to be in an environment where if I started talking about any author almost everyone immediately knew what I was talking about, had read what I was talking about, and could help me out with my reasoning of it.
I did have one friend at my time there who was based at Pembroke who didn't have any sort of literary background—he's in medical school now—and so we kind of gave him shit for it. Weirdly he had actually been assigned Tom Hughes' old dorm room. I once vandalized his room by slapping pieces of cheese of cheese to the room's wood pillars and various surfaces and he never forgave me. (I think he was supposed to travel to Oslo early the morning of something after I did it, so it stressed him out. Oh well.)
I ended up getting a girlfriend there (she was in Pembroke, I was in King's) and we're still together 4 years later, so I like to think that the experience didn't pass completely without consequence.
>elite
>australian
ground control to major kek
t. Euro with no top 50 uni in his country
>tfw I went to a highschool called King's College in New Zealand, and people always assume I'm talking about Cambridge
An unusual feel for sure but people assume I'm a snob either way
This is why you set up a job or the kindling for an academic/research career whilst still in university. That's what it's for: opportunities and connections.
You obviously didn't go to Oxford or Cambridge
depends on what you're looking for.
A First/2:1 is what really matters at the moment if you just want to do mindless office work or sales or something.
I'd say there are maybe 6 unis in the UK apart from Oxbridge which are respected around the world for literature.
>tfw japanese degree in brazil
I think i'll starving.
What advice would you give to a humanities student who is gonna go to a non Russel group uni because of shorty life choices. Is there any hope of finding anyone like me or should I just spend my hours on Veeky Forums and Veeky Forums?
As a student at Oxford, I'd say that the best thing about Oxbridge is the people you're surrounded with. I've met so many people I've been waiting my entire life to meet - who I can relate to. Also good being around people who are successful and will be successful, in terms of networking.
Other people's success rubs of on you, as I'm learning. I've only been at Oxford for a term. I come from a normal state school background with uneducated parents. Meeting Etonians, and students from other big private schools with really well-educated parents, this has a very positive effect on you.
My parents beat me until I agreed to go to uni. I have nothing but regrets.