Interesting counterpoint. I kind of agree that these books will be lost on people (although I believe I got something out of them and I'm early into my career). But I'm also thinking of it as providing early exposure so that if the students need guidance later on, they know where to visit. Much as high school students find the classics boring, but upon revisiting them later in life, discover their brilliance.

I agree that you should teach the practice. My ideal education would be co-ops combined with a reading course or two on the canon.