Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumBlack Education, HBCUs, and Philosophical Debates

Read the following excerpt from W.E.B. Du Bois's essay 'Of the Wings of Atalanta' in *The Souls of Black Folk* (1903):

'The Wings of Atalanta are the coming universities of the South. They must be not simply places of training, but centers of culture; not merely factories for making bread-winners, but temples for the shaping of men.'

Based on this excerpt, which of the following statements best describes Du Bois's view on the primary purpose of Black higher education?

  1. Black colleges must prioritize character-building and liberal arts education to cultivate leaders capable of challenging social inequalities.Answer
  2. B
    Black students should reject all forms of industrial training in favor of purely classical curricula.
  3. C
    Early universities should focus on training students to lead a mass emigration movement back to Africa.
  4. D
    Higher education should primarily prepare students to become landowners and reform the Southern sharecropping system from within.

Answer

Black colleges must prioritize character-building and liberal arts education to cultivate leaders capable of challenging social inequalities.
The correct option is correct because the excerpt directly contrasts a utilitarian, vocational-only education ('factories for making bread-winners') with a liberal arts education ('temples for the shaping of men') that emphasizes culture, character, and leadership. This aligns with Du Bois's belief in the necessity of high-quality higher education to produce intellectual leaders for the Black community.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the primary source text for key terms and metaphors used by the author.
The excerpt contrasts 'places of training' and 'factories for making bread-winners' with 'centers of culture' and 'temples for the shaping of men.'
Identifying this contrast helps clarify the author's argument against a purely utilitarian or vocational focus for higher education.
2
Connect the author's metaphors to the historical debates surrounding Black education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The emphasis on shaping men and establishing centers of culture aligns with Du Bois's advocacy for classical liberal arts education to develop the 'Talented Tenth,' rather than Booker T. Washington's focus on industrial and manual labor training.
Linking the source to the broader historical context allows for a precise evaluation of the options.
3
Evaluate the options based on the identified philosophy, keeping in mind that Du Bois did not completely oppose vocational education but sought a balanced approach that included higher leadership training.
The statement emphasizing character-building and liberal arts education to cultivate leadership is the most accurate reflection of Du Bois's philosophy, while options suggesting absolute rejection of vocational training, mass emigration, or reforming sharecropping represent common historical misconceptions.
Selecting the option that matches the nuanced educational philosophy ensures the correct answer is chosen without falling for common distractors.

Key Concept

The philosophical debate between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington regarding the purpose and structure of Black education, specifically the role of liberal arts versus vocational training.
Rate this question

Topics

Black Education, HBCUs, and Philosophical Debates

More questions from this topic