Modifiers Matter

January 11, 2012

Comments

Via the Political Fix: Spence’s college degree? Economics, yes, but of the home,

Republican Dave Spence, the plastics guru running for governor, says he "earned a degree in Economics" from the University of Missouri.

That may be true — but it is not entirely accurate.

According to the university, Spence’s degree is not in economics. It is in home economics.

The school says that Spence majored in family economics and management — also called consumer economics —which earned him a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1981.

Details, details.

(Seriously though, did he think that no one would check?)

8 responses to “Modifiers Matter”

Doug Mataconis

January 11, 2012 at 8:51 pm

They give degrees in Home Economics?
Just nutha ig’rant cracker

January 11, 2012 at 8:57 pm

@Doug Mataconis: Sure, how would you get home economics teachers without them?
Tillman

January 11, 2012 at 9:16 pm

Let’s not diminish the honor of the Home Economist. We are above that.
An Interested Party

January 11, 2012 at 9:27 pm

Let’s not diminish the honor of the Home Economist. We are above that.

Yes, but let us completely diminish the dishonor of deception, especially when it is practiced so stupidly, as in this case…
Jenos Idanian

January 12, 2012 at 5:44 am

Shades of “Cornell” alumnus Keith Olbermann…
grumpy realist

January 12, 2012 at 6:26 am

Hmmm. I hope it’s better than the guff we were forced to undertake in high school under the rubric of “Home Economics”, which consisted of “learning” how to bake brownies and use a sewing machine. All those of us who had gone through 4-H yawned our heads off; the course did at least teach those who didn’t already have some cooking experience how to boil water.

Actually, the history of what used to be called “domestic engineering” is pretty fascinating. The fact that we have linoleum on our kitchen floors, use standard measurements like cups, “teaspoons” and “tablespoons” in cooking, and have useable kitchen layouts can be directly traced back to researchers such as Ellen Swallow Richards and the Galbraiths.

I however can’t think of what would be taught in a present day “home economics” college program……
sam

January 12, 2012 at 7:42 am

@Doug Mataconis:

They give degrees in Home Economics?

Maybe he’s a classicist…
JohnMcC

January 12, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Actually not an easy major, back when I was at college. Organic Chemistry and – yes – economics were some of the required courses. Doesn’t excuse the candidate, of course. But IOKIYAR.