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August 23, 2006
Beloit College's annual "Mindset List"
As you probably know, Beloit College has been publishing their annual "Mindset List" since 1998. The list is mostly a series of references to things that entering college freshmen would know nothing about. For example, from the very first list there was: "'The Tonight Show' has always been with Jay Leno."
Presumably the list is something of a public service to professors everywhere. Once I am reminded that today's freshmen have known nothing but Jay Leno, I am duly warned that reprising Johnny Carson's "Carnac" routine will probably fall flat on my students.
The first few lists were funny, but it is getting harder for them to come up with a lot of new items of great significance. Not only that, but the lists are getting longer which only adds to the obscurity of some of the references. I'm not sure that an item from this year's list like "Small white holiday lights have always been in style" would have made their first few lists.
While I think they are reaching on some of the items, and while it is starting to look like a list of things that happened in the year that these freshmen were born, it is still worth a couple minutes of your time. Chances are you'll find a couple that make you smile.
They have always known that "In the criminal justice system the people have been represented by two separate yet equally important groups."
Do college students watch "Law and Order"?
Diane Sawyer has always been live in Prime Time.
I will ask my students tomorrow if they know who Diane Sawyer is.
They are not aware that "flock of seagulls hair" has nothing to do with birds flying into it.
Ha ha.
They have never put their money in a "Savings & Loan."
Nor have they heard of the S & L crisis. This is relevant if you teach macroeconomics.
Posted by William Polley at August 23, 2006 12:32 PM
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Comments
Such a list can also help senior faculty understand the mindset of this fall's crop of new faculy. I give it a try on my blog. I'm especially proud of
4. The great Milli Vanilli lip-synch scandal was a formative experience in their lives.
9. They cast their first vote in a presidential election for either Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, or Ross Perot.
12. Bart Simpson is just their age.
16. The Soviet Union collapsed right around the time they got their first zit.
Posted by: Maynard at August 25, 2006 2:01 PM