The English majors and profs of YOUR era were much different than that which Jen would have to tolerate today. I graduated college in 1974, and was beginning to not be able to stand them then. Don't know what it was like for you, coming along a few years later, but today, they can get downright obnoxious! Our #1 son changed his major from History/Poli Sci to English, because he liked the subjects, and even HE had difficulty with the pomposity of some of the profs.
I'm right in the middle here... Being in college in the late 80's. I think both conservatives have changed in the last couple years. It's hateful teamism now, when it used to be the debate about issues where both sides could identify a problem and debate how to solve it, but neither side was thought evil and out to destroy us.
I don't buy into it from either side. I know ~people~ in life, none of whom are in the business of politics, so I don't think about them only in terms of their politics. I've never had conservative friends or really liberal ones, before coming to FR. I just knew people. I don't like being around people who obsess on politics no matter which side they are on. I like them, or not, for other characteristics that are more interesting to me.
I understand Jen's experience. My problem was that she was making a blanket accusation.
I know enough English professors to know that's just not accurate.