The Mickey Mouse degree (or Mickey Mouse course , known as the bird course in Canada) is a term for university degree programs deemed worthless relevant. This term is dysphism, derived from the general use of "Mickey Mouse" as being patronizing. It became famous in Britain after being used by the country's national tabloids.
Video Mickey Mouse degrees
Origins
The term was used by education minister Margaret Hodge, during discussions on the expansion of higher education. Hodge defines the Mickey Mouse course as "one where content may not be as tight as expected and where the degree itself may not have great relevance in the labor market"; and that, furthermore, "just stacking the numbers on the Mickey Mouse course is unacceptable". This opinion is often raised in the summer when exam results are released and new university programs are revealed. This phrase began in the late 1990s, when the Labor government created a target of having 50% of students in higher education in 2010. With his observation that "the rate itself may not have great relevance in the labor market", Hodge seems to reflect especially on those who read Literae Humaniores or otherwise known as "Great" at Oxford University. He is far from the first to do so, Samuel Butler makes similar criticisms in his novel Erewhon, citing the College of Failure and the School of Inconsistency and Evasion. Here scholars are instructed primarily in hypothetical science and hypothetical language because the study of possibility and remote possibility is considered a much better preparation for the business of life than reality.
The more critical interpretation of the epithet comes from the general tabloid and the unification of the people and the reaction to some aspect of academic interest in the second half of the twentieth century. These examples include the publication of political analysis of colonialism and the culture of Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart in the How to Read Donald Duck and the devotion of the Disney Chief at Cambridge University to the creation of Professor of Archeology of Disney. in 1851 (John Disney actually has no relationship with Walt Disney).
Maps Mickey Mouse degrees
Example
In 2000, Staffordshire University was derided as providing "David Beckham Studies" for providing a module on the sociological importance of football to students taking sociology, sports science, or media studies. A professor for the department emphasized that the course would not focus on Beckham, and that this module addresses "the rise of football from its origins in the 17th century, with that power being and the central place it occupies in British culture, and indeed the world's culture, today. "In July 2015, MEP Louise Bours referred symbolically to the module on Question Time as if it were a full degree program; this is despite that his own degree in Social Sciences from Blackburn College. Other titles considered "Mickey Mouse" include "golf management" and "surf science". (Although this last course is based in a large coastal university in an area where surfing sports are a thriving industry). Similarly, Durham University designed a module centered around Harry Potter to examine "prejudice, citizenship and bullying in modern society" as part of a BA in Education Studies.
One thing that is shared in this program is that they are "vocational", which is considered to be less intellectually rigorous than traditional academic degree. Yet many vocational degrees such as engineering, medicine, law, and architecture, are academically very demanding. Perceptions also have not been helped in the UK by conversion in 1992 from the polytechnic to the New University. These universities later found it difficult to compete with more established institutions rather than being assessed as a polytechnic university (although some Polytechnics have existed since 1838 - the Polytechnic of London) and have offered academically challenging degrees, masters and doctors in STEM fields such as engineering, physics, mathematics, life sciences, and natural sciences since the early 1900s. But when the Polytechnic becomes independent many are drifting from their original STEM focus in what is known as an academic shift and offering degrees in non-traditional academic subjects such as media studies, fashion, and health sciences.
The defenders of these programs objected that the derogatory comments made in the media depended on the low symbolic capital of new subjects and rarely discussed the contents of content outside the title. Another factor is the true or false perception that taking this subject, and the decline of more traditional academic subjects such as science, engineering, mathematics, led to a predictable annual grade increase in the UK. The engineering degree program nearly collapsed in England and was only saved by the massive influx of overseas students. This trend follows the de-industrialization of the British economy, where engineering activity and manufacturing type have declined markedly in recent times.
Although considered a recent phenomenon, the alleged "dumbing down" has historical roots.
A-level subject and "soft option"
A-level in General Studies is seen as the subject of Mickey Mouse, as well as A-level Critical Thinking, with many universities not accepting it as part of the requirements for bidding.
In addition, although it does not consider the subject of Mickey Mouse as such, some qualifications are not favored by renowned universities and are considered a "soft choice". The 2007 report states that science is more challenging than subjects like Media Studies, which may be taken by students to earn higher grades for university applications. An American example is a degree in physical education. It has been issued to members of the college athletic team, to make them eligible to play; otherwise they will fail to pass the traditional subjects.
See also
- Academic inflation
- Diploma Override
- Jodeldiplom
- Advanced Course List
- Scientific method
- Underwater weave basket
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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