Perceptions of Value in Modern Education: A Comparative Study of the Humanities and The Sciences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68050/JAMS.2026.724Keywords:
English Literature, Engineering, Value, EducationAbstract
English Literature and Engineering are placed at the far end of an equilibrium, to which, the marginal utility of Engineering is generally valued as relatively more economically valuable than that of English Literature due to factors that mainly involve future job prospects such as opportunity for employment, revenue earned and the labour market force outcomes. As stated by Moo & Wan, 2023, graduates’ capability of employment has close connection with human capital theory and neoliberal perspectives which can affect the evaluation of educational qualifications and field of study. (Moo & Wan, 2023). This qualitative study aims to examine the cultural and interpersonal narratives that contribute to such perceived hierarchy between the humanities and sciences in Malaysia. To gain an in-depth analysis, informal interviews has been conducted with three industrial professionals each from the field of English Literature and Engineering. The findings are expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse about wage profiles, prospects and finally the idea of “value”.
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