argu133 有拍必回

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133,The following is a memo from the principal of Academia High School.
"Academia High School should abolish its after-school performing-arts programs and replace them with computer-technology programs. When nearby Techno High School did so last year, total enrollment in all of its after-school activities remained about the same. Moreover, on entering college, manyTechno students chose a major directly related to their after-school activities. On the other hand, last year only 10 percent of Academia's graduating seniors chose performing arts as their major field of study in their first year of college, clearly indicating that students do not have a strong interest in the performing arts.

       The author recommends that Academia High School should abolish its after-school performing-arts and replace them with computer-technology program. After all, in Techno High, the students who choose computer as their after-school activities are more likely to choose it as their major when they enter college. In addition, however, only 10% students who learn performing-arts choose it as their major in Academia High. However, it is groundless to draw such conclusion in that the differences between Academia and Techno have not been taken into consideration.


First, it is entirely possible that the policy in Techno, which changes all of its arts courses into computer technology, would not suffice to ensure similar in Academia, due to the differences between equipments, teachers, and so forth. Perhaps Techno is a high school famous for its advanced education in computer science and the relevant courses, so the performing-arts take no advantages in such school. However, the Academia High is good at subjects related to arts, such as performing-arts, whose superiority is totally, to some extent, various from Techno High. Thus, is it necessary for Academia to focus on computer and sacrifice its advantaged courses?
The answer is obviously no. Under such circumstances, Academia is better to change part of its course to computer science, but not all of them.



Second, the author assumes that because only 10% students choose performing arts as their major field, it indicates that most students do not have interests in performing arts. Yet the argument fails to substantiate this assumption. There is no evidence to support the fact that those students who are majoring in other fields do not like arts or performing; nevertheless, it is likely that those who major in computer science in Techno are also fond of arts. One's major, is not likely to be an absolute factor in one's preference, for when choosing a major, it is not only one's interests, but also some pragmatic problems such as the salary and employment that affect the choice.


Third, the author assumes that Academia High should abolish its performing-arts for the reason that there are only 10% students major in arts in the future. It is unfair to make such conclusion that the preferences of the students should not be neglected. Also, it is entirely possible that 10% students is a pretty high percentage, compared with other schools, for there are few job vacations for the students who study performing-art. Thus, the courses are useful to foster students rather than let them down.


To sum up, the argument is not persuasive as it stands. Before Academia abolishes its policy, the argument must provide enough support to the reason why it is proper to pattern what Techno High has done. To better evaluate the argument, the author should have a better understanding on whether the policy in Techno is suitable for Academia High, combining with the student’s willingness, school’s advantages and the future perspective of the subject.