I think this is a kneejerk take -- the study of literature generally encompasses an intersection of the study of the society, culture, economy, history that produced that literature. In other words, if you study Medieval English Literature, you also study the historical context that surrounds that subject. My opinion: I would consider his friend well-educated and curious enough about the world that she got a Masters degree in a specialized field.

PPl should stick to their fields of "professionalism" and and let people who know economics to deal with economic problem. Because her statement is factually incorrect.

I don’t think they had Masters degrees in the Middle Ages, but I somewhat understand the point you’re very awkwardly trying to make.

Yes I agree, a Masters in literature doesn’t teach you much about the ‘real world’, but if you don’t think there are plenty of CS and engineering students with the exact same type of perspective, you need to expand your social circles.

If you find yourself agreeing with everything your friends say, I’d actually say it’s you who needs to find friends with different educational backgrounds than your own.