Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
carpe demi

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                     

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

University For Dummies

Where books are the teachers
  (+6, -3)
(+6, -3)
  [vote for,
against]

If you're looking for a well-rounded college education, someone has probably suggested to you St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and Santa Fe, NM. Their "great books curriculum" really takes learning back to the primary sources -- learning math from Pythagoras, astronomy from Galileo, etc. At graduation, students are prepared for modernist salons and Nobel Laureate receptions. (The job market may be another story.)

But if you think you build a successful career without speaking Ancient Greek, the University for Dummies might be for you. In the same reading-rather-than-lectures format, students learn from the classic "For Dummies" series.

A freshman Literature class might start out with "Shakespeare For Dummies" and "Poetry For Dummies." When St. John's students agonize over volumes of Supreme Court decisions, these students just have to master "Law For Dummies." They also study fields which don't have great books available -- what classic can replace "C++ For Dummies"?

Students may also choose from a variety of electives, from "Lawn Care For Dummies" to "Tarot For Dummies." Recreational activities include "Fly Fishing For Dummies," "Needlecraft For Dummies," and of course a campus favorite, "Homebrewing For Dummies."

Not only will students graduate knowing the meat and bones of every subject, they also receive excellent career help. Studies show that students who read "Cover Letters For Dummies" and "Job Interviews For Dummies" have a higher employment rate three years later than those who rely of Machiavelli's "The Prince."

The only drawback is money. At $22 a book, a liberal arts education can be quite costly. But don't worry. The Office of Financial Aid has announced a plan to supply all parents with "Investing For Dummies," "Fundraising For Dummies," and "Gambling For Dummies."

ickle me, Mar 06 2002

Dummies for Dummies http://www.dummies.com/
Featuring "England for Dummies"... [waugsqueke, Mar 07 2002]

The Complete MBA for Dummies http://catalog.dumm...asp?isbn=076455204X
"Now with this friendly guide, everyone can simple [sic] the benfits [sic] of an MBA education in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost!" [waugsqueke, Mar 07 2002]

[link]






       I need to speak with a writer, to produce a series of books for folks who plan to send their own offspring to the University for Dummies. I plan for topics like, "Getting Dressed for Dummies: age 4" and "Riding a Bike for Dummies: age 6". After all, didn't you feel at your most vulnerable teaching your kids the point of independence?
reensure, Mar 06 2002
  

       The age old problem: being smart and being educated are not necessarily related events.
rbl, Mar 07 2002
  

       What does it mean if I teach this stuff on a daily basis?   

       Just call me MCSE for Dummies... 8^(
phoenix, Mar 07 2002
  

       Umm, so [PeterSealy] which are you?
rbl, Mar 07 2002
  

       Gee, you can't refute that statement, can you?! I mean, who would say "no, I don't agree - look, I'm smart AND educated, so there."
sappho, Mar 07 2002
  

       Not only is law school already more reading-based than lecture-based (in my final year, I had two classes a week but spent all day every day in the library) but the books are considerably more expensive than $22.
calum, Mar 07 2002
  

       Many people already seem to get a degree reading little else than York notes, Schaum's study guides, etc, so making it official would either be an affront to the dignity of education or about time too.   

       <<being smart and being educated are not necessarily related events.>> Note the word "necessarily". Some of us can manage both (just not on the halfbakery).
pottedstu, Mar 07 2002
  

       Having spotted "Sex for Dummies" recently... I paused to wonder exactly how stupid IDG must think the human race really is.
waugsqueke, Mar 07 2002
  

       At graduation, I assume the traditional mortarboard would be replaced by a dunce cap?
beauxeault, Mar 07 2002
  

       Wonderful idea!

And welcome, -ickle me. I see this is your first (and presently only) idea here at the bakery. Keep up the good work!
quarterbaker, Mar 07 2002
  

       Can you get 'window dressing for dummies' yet? Or 'bullet types for dummies'?
stupop, Mar 07 2002
  

       And when we graduate... "Working for Dummies" ??
  

       O wait, most of us already do that.
UhhOK, Mar 07 2002
  

       I see that one of the featured tomes on the dummies.com site is "Baking for Dummies." I wonder if Jutta finally published the content of the halfbakery.
beauxeault, Mar 07 2002
  

       Oh, right. That would be "Baking *by* Dummies." Nevermind.
beauxeault, Mar 07 2002
  

       Why thank you, quarterbaker. I'm very happy to be here.
ickle me, Mar 07 2002
  

       Well thought of idea.
wkd_man, Nov 23 2002
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle