1. What is a central tension Boyer discusses in his chapter? 

– The central tension that Boyer discusses in this chapter is the debates within University faculty members about whether majors should be geared toward vocational, career-oriented success or a more “breadth” general education in liberal arts form. Boyer expresses a common viewpoint that liberal arts majors do not have a set career at the end of their course. College campuses were described as being “torn between careerism and the goals of liberal learning.” Whether the conflict arises from the so-called “newness” of certain majors or the lack of prestige that accompanies some of these new majors makes Universities feel uneasy about their standings. Boyer explains that narrowing certain majors or technical training at the expense of a more liberal arts education responds to a market that focuses too much on an end result and not the range of useful skills and knowledge students should have. 

2. What is Boyer’s “Enriched Major” idea, how does he imagine it as a response to a key tension? 

– Boyer’s idea of an “Enriched Major” is a means for students to expand upon the depth of a subject in their major and form context and connections to aspects such as historical relevance, social and economic impacts, as well as citizenship. His goal was to “relate the values of liberal learning to vocation” and “ Rather than view the majors as competing with general education, we are convinced that these two essential parts…should be intertwined”. Boyer discusses how this enriched major concept could give a deeper understanding that can be applied to a student’s life regardless of differing majors or careers; it carries a human experience aspect that can go beyond those boundaries. Boyer argues that college should prepare students for life in the best way possible and that it is essential to expose students to a curriculum that brings together technical and liberal as “they inevitably must be brought together during life.” Leading students from “depth to breadth” can foster a society that values their education to its highest capacity without forging the importance of social connection and human experience.