What, then, is a good education at the end of the twentieth century? Some educators suggest that it should include foreign languages and the study of foreign cultures；a mastery of English, including the ability to write and speak well, because communications have become all-important in the modern world. and also because “a person who doesn't speak and write Clearly doesn't reason clearly either” ; some knowledge of the social sciences(sociology, psychology)that deal with human relations and human problems；some basic knowledge of modem information systems, since the educated professionals of tomorrow will have to understand their machines. Is that all? “No, of course not. ”answer the educators, “We have not mentioned the two great building blocks of education：history and literature!”

Is this truly the best modern education? Perhaps. But every educator would add or subtract a few subjects. And no matter what list of courses would be offered, it would not be approved by all. Not only do the professors have their own ideas on the matter, but the students have theirs' too. “I don't believe, ”protested a Harvard student when his university revised its programs, “I don't believe that colleges have the fight to define what an educated person is. ”But then, who has?