English: Arguing to Persuade - Essay Example

Dear members of the San Diego District school board, This letter is written to you as a fervent appeal regarding a matter which is one of the utmost importance- the debate that has been taking place recently on whether or not to offer liberal education classes in the inner-city schools of San Diego. In this letter, I will explain and elaborate all the various reasons as to why liberal education classes should not only be allowed, but must be allowed and incorporated into the schools curriculum. I will address this matter in great detail, and will hopefully prove to you why it is imperative and crucial to add these liberal education classes to our schools. I will provide you with the necessary information for you to reach an informed decision, in hopes that you take my letter into consideration and do the right thing for our children. As you know fully well, liberal education consists of classes about art, including, among others, music, painting, pottery and more, as well as liberal arts, which include humanities, social sciences and regular sciences. The other, more conventional and traditionally learned subject and these subjects of art and liberal arts are incorporated together. This given children a comprehensive method of studying and a much broader scope of subject, skills and knowledge that they learn. They are not only learning the practical subjects like math, English, geography and other typical subjects, but also ones that utilize another part of their brains, ones which spark their imagination more and arouse their inherent curiosity and desire to learn. Children must be given a full set of subjects and fields to choose from, in order to have some say as to their education, have more freedom in it (which is something that liberal education aspires too, and is even based upon) and be more interested, involved and enthusiastic about their school subject. Giving them a possibility to choose their individualized art and science subjects will not only open them up to a whole new world of experiences, but will also make them feel more content about being able to choose what they are interested in, rather than just being forced to study the same old subjects as always. Another obvious reason for the need to include liberal education classes, as Ive hinted in my last paragraph, is that children today are bored and tired of studying the same subjects, which are rather inflexible, unimaginative and are considered to be quite dull to children. Instead, if we add the liberal education classes, they will have a whole new set of possible subjects to choose from, and they will be ones that are more interesting and invigorating that the ordinary ones. Compared to math and English, for example, music and film are much more stimulating, and offer children the ability to express themselves artistically, be creative, adventurous, and think "outside of the box". This is obviously better than sitting in class all day, studying mathematical formulas and grammatical rules. Please note that this is not merely my opinion, but also that of scholars and professionals in the field of both education and psychology. In a quick search in the internet or at the library, one can find dozens of articles or books explaining exactly how beneficial art subjects are, and their immense contribution to children in so many different areas and fields in life. One great example for such an article can be found in the writings of the "Association of American Colleges and Universities", which explains exactly what liberal education is and how it contributes to children. It is written there that liberal education is: An approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest. It goes on to state that a liberal education assists students in developing a sense of social responsibility in addition to intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to implement the knowledge and skills they learn in their everyday lives. Clearly, one cannot ignore or overlook these phenomenal contributions achieved by studying liberal education classes. As incredible as the effects of studying liberal arts and education sound, there are much more Ive yet to have stated. As it turns out, it can do even greater things for poor people, who are in a disadvantaged place in society. In his article called "On the Uses of Liberal Education: A Weapon in the Hands of the Restless Poor" which was published in 1997, Earl Shorris explains in great detail how studying liberal education subject can turn poor childrens life around. He describes the lifestyle of many of these children as full of neglect, lack of warmth and stability, filled with crime, involvement with street gangs, consumption of alcohol and drugs and other detrimental behaviors which often get children in trouble. Then he tells about the wonders that subjects like music can do to these children. As it turns out, music gives them a whole new way of expressing themselves which doesnt involve violence, but is rather a tender, gentle way of self expression. The children are actually developing a sense of accomplishment, pride and their self-esteem is being boosted, as theyve been able to learn something which is very different than what they usually do and experience. He goes on to describe their fascination with the wonderful and enchanting sounds and harmonies of the music, which has a claming effect on them. Basically, they are given a positive and healthy way of expressing their feelings, emotions, thoughts, desired, dreams and so on in a way that is peaceful and creative. The same things go with painting, sculpture, filming and other art subjects. Another thing that is accomplished by the learning of liberal education subjects like art is that children are encouraged and are often given a place to be at after school hours, where they can further practice the art that they love, whether its in a youth center, a school-related place or anywhere else. This keeps them away from the streets and from participating in dangerous activities of all sorts. It gives them a chance to be around other kids who enjoy the same thing, practice together what they learn and share their love for this subject. Instead of hanging out with criminals and gang members that live nearby, they can safely participate in a harmonious activity, far away from the troubles of their lives. Also, they become more independent, self-reliant and self-sufficient, as they are away from their parents and on their own. They create music or learn to capture stunning images in photography or sculpt an image they desire to create or anything of that sort- all by themselves, without their parents or anyone else. Having them away from their parents is also beneficial, since children who come from a background of poverty are sometimes raised by families who dont have the time, ability or capability to take care of them properly and devote enough love, caring and affection to them. They are even sometimes alcoholics, drug users or have other problems which prevent them from supplying the child with a proper environment in which to grow. Learning those liberal education classes virtually has the potential to save them from a life of misery and inadequate care and instead, supply them with a wonderful and harmonious environment in which to grow and evolve as they way. But perhaps the most astonishing fact about the power liberal education can have on our youth comes from Venezuela, a country well known for its poverty and distress of its people. For 32 years now, a program called "The System" is being run and doing the exact thing Ive previously describes to hundreds of thousands of children there! The program is for children from the countrys slums, which are in terrible predicaments and live incredibly harsh lives. It is a social system that fights poverty by teaching the children about classical music and how to play different instruments. Through it, it instills them with self-esteem and confidence, and as the founder of this program says: "a childs physical poverty is overcome by the spiritual richness that music provides". The Venezuelan children are being introduced to a new routine and also learn a brand new culture. The music and what they learn and implement remain a part of them always. And the amazing feats that have been achieved by them can easily be seen- this music education program is considered groundbreaking and one of the orchestras has become wildly successful, was invited to perform at the famous Carnegie Hall and has been hailed as the future of classical music itself! In summation, one can go on and on in describing the wonderful, life-changing potential liberal education has, and all it can do for children. But to conclude, I can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt, liberal education does more for children then all the other subjects they learn combined. It helps them grow and evolve in practically every aspect of their lives, teaching them life skills, boosting their confidence, sense of self, providing them with a healthy, positive and peaceful outlet to their emotions and desires, and can even turn their lives around, removing them from harmful environments and allowing them to become integrated to an environment which can grant them all they need for a happy and healthy upbringing which will result in their being productive and successful members of society. For the future of out children, liberal education classes must be incorporated in their curriculums! References Simon, B. (2008)."El Sistema: Changing Lives through Music". CBS News. July 20, 2008. April 30, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/60minutes/main4009335.shtml Shorris, E. (1997). "On the Uses of Liberal Education: As a Weapon in the Hands of the Restless Poor". Harpers Publication, Issue of September 1997, p. 50-60. "What is Liberal Education?" (n.d). Association of American Colleges and Universities. April 30, 2009. http://www.aacu.org/leap/What_is_Liberal_Education.cfm Read More