We have spent three weeks studying the novel Moo by Jane Smiley. We’ve discussed the ways in which Smiley’s representation of a fictional Midwestern university is similar to or different from the university that you attend. We’ve also applied some of the ideas about issues facing higher education to Smiley’s novel. Choose a narrow example of an issue that higher education is facing and explore Smiley’s representation of it. Write a complete, academic essay exploring the implications of this example. Examine what these representations elucidate regarding the trends in contemporary higher education. Discuss how your examination expands your understanding of universities today. You must use outside sources to further support your thesis, but this does not mean you should do further research on the novel or issues in higher education. In fact, I discourage you from doing any additional research for this essay. You are instead encouraged to use the documentary, the essay, and the book chapters that we read during the first weeks of the semester. You will write the essay by introducing your topic and its significance. In the first paragraph or two, you should develop a thesis or main idea that you’ll seek to substantiate in the rest of the essay. From there, you’ll give specific examples to augment your points. Write in a clear, academic language. Completely develop your points to demonstrate to the reader every step in your thought process. Cite passages directly from the text and interpret these passages for your reader. Maintain a certain amount of focus on the topic at hand. Make connections between the subject matter and its importance in a larger framework, and conclude your essay very neatly. Because this essay is so short, be sure to stay very focused in your main point. Don’t feel like you have to cover the entire novel. You only need to cover the parts of the novel that align with your main point. Your essay may be developed out of ideas you first introduced in your reading responses. This essay should be five pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font (Times or Times New Roman), with one inch margins. Also referencing “The Undeserving Professor” and “Starving the Beast” (documentary) as reference points for comparing and contrast to the novel Moo.
