When Math and Science Rule the School
In his essay “Dehumanized: When Math and Science Rule the School” published in Harper’s Magazine, Mark Slouka argues that mathematics and science are overshadowing important humanity studies throughout schools all over the United States. Slouka’s use of emotional and ethical appeals through personal experiences and extensive observation offer insight into what he believes is a problem in our modern society: Math and Science studies receiving more focus and importance than the humanities. Slouka’s target audience seems to be the young adults in the United States because they are the group being affected by this shift in studies in colleges and universities, although our elders should be equally concerned with the rising problem at hand. Whilst I believe math and science to be extremely important in our modern world, I also agree with Slouka’s view stating humanities are essential to an individual’s development. Proven to be vital to everyday life, math and science are the foundations on which our country needs to grow, but humanities such as english, history, and sociology(just to name a few), are also important in the development of individuals to be constructive members of our society. Slouka’s use of personal stories, personal experience, and passion towards the issue show a great deal of effective rhetoric, while his jealousy towards the issue tends to make his argument less effective. In his essay, Slouka argues that humanity studies are starting to be brushed under the carpet more and more in today’s society. With the use of a personal story involving his mother-in-law, Slouka establishes an emotional credibility to his audience. When introduced, he is questioned about his field of study, with her asking “A doctor of philosophy? What are you going to do, open a philosophy store?” With this personal story, Slouka immediately connects to his audience by showing his everyday struggle with people looking down on such fields of humanities. This serves a