The Economics of College: Part III (Thomas Sowell)

Townhall.com ^ | April 23, 2008 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

Recent columns
The Economics of College: Part II
The Economics of College
Political Crusaders

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to, or removed from, the Thomas Sowell ping list…

[MrB]

Recommended “Sowell Food”, in order for the uninitiated:

Basic Economics
Applied Economics
Conflict of Visions
Vision of the Anointed
Economic Facts & Fallacies

all his other books in any order

[chopperman]

One of the finest colleges in the country does not live off the government teet and it is a bargain - Grove City College.

[11th Commandment]

Some schools have “teaching” professors that do spend more time in the classroom. They voluntarily forgo tenure because they actually enjoy the students and development. The problem is that if you are not tenured and teach a subject off the liberal reservation, you may find yourself out of a job. Worst part of this is that it will be the worthless tenured liberal professor that will push for your firing!

[nmh]

Very good post!

We love him.

If I’m not on your Sowell ping list, please add me.

TIA!

BTTT!

[nmh]

Adding it to my list of books to read - when I have time ....

Thanks.

[george76]

Speaking of The University of Colorado and out of control expenses : Ward is still getting his paycheck with benefits ?

[iopscusa]

Grove City and Hillsdale Colleges are both great!

[PGalt]

The socialization of anything is always costly. Education is no exception.

Well give you a lot of nothing for $omething BUMP!

[Disturbin]

I never cease to be amazed by the amount of money people throw at private universities after they graduate.

When I was in school, I remember that credits were $400 a piece. They had three-credit lectures with over 400 students being taught by a grad student.

$400 x 3 x 400 = half a million

[jazusamo]

Hopefully the dinasours of the past 40 or so years will slowly be replaced by those “teaching” professors or at least get on a more even footing.

[PGalt]

We’ll (Sheesh). (public educachion dontcha no) /sarcasm

[jazusamo]

Welcome, nmh, you’re on now.

[NorCoGOP]

Spending even 15 hours a week in a classroom may not seem like a lot to people who spend 35 or 40 hours a week on the job. However, there is also the time required to prepare lectures, grade tests and do other miscellaneous campus chores.

Even so, 12 hours a week in a classroom is not a killing pace, especially for professors who have taught a few years and have their lecture notes from previous years to help prepare for the current year's classes.

But that was then and this is now. Today, a teaching load of more than 6 semester hours is considered sweatshop labor on many campuses.

Incidentally, since academic class hours are 50 minutes long, 6 semester hours mean actually 5 hours a week in the classroom.

Just...wow.

I spend 23 hours a week in the classroom - 24 semester hour teaching load (8 classes at 2 schools)

It's still a lot easier than a standard 40 hour a week job, though I work closer to 50 per week with grading/prep, etc....

Wouldn't have it any other way, for I love teaching.

[steelyourfaith]

The Economics of College (Thomas Sowell)

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The Academy is controlled by leftist Democrats. Ergo, according to their economic models, college should be free. Why do these marxists suddenly turn capitalist with their own businesses and maximize profits?

[jazusamo]

That whole Churchill fiasco is something everyone should be reminded of on a weekly basis and I congratulate you for your efforts.

[Tax-chick]

Bttt

[jazusamo]

You are to be commended, we need many more like you that loves to teach.