Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Importance of the Arts EVERYWHERE
When I first signed up for this class, I knew that I had to write a research paper and it had something to do with college. To be honest, I felt I really didn't need to take this class since I've already taken expository writing, and other writing classes in high school. I felt by doing well, I really shouldn't have to take an additional class just to fill a requirement for the university. My time could be spent elsewhere on subjects that I am interested in and actually affect my future... for me this is the arts. Being a visual art student, and having a strong interest in music, I feel that while I need the basic requirements (math, science, history) they shouldn't be emphasized as much. Already in the first week of school, my other professors have assigned a nice chunk of work for me to do. But, is this really necessary? However, some may read this and ask, "Why didn't you go to a professional art school, like Pratt or SVA?" And my answer to them would be yes, I could have, but does anyone really know what they want to do for the rest of their lives when there 18? 19? Regardless of what university or school you attend, if the arts are available then they should be catered to just as much as other departments. The other day I was talking to another art student and she explained that the sculpture department no longer has ceramics. While this may seem trivial to some, what if math students didn't have graphing calculators? Or if lab students didn't have thermometers? Wouldn't it be a lot harder? I chose to come to Rutgers because it had many subjects to study, but now that I am in the art program, more should be done for the arts. As my painting teacher explained on the first day of class, we shouldn't be Rutgers students who just happen to be studying art.
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Thanks for posting -- and for your honesty. I think you might begin thinking about the topic of "Liberal Arts for arts majors" by asking around or researching to find out exactly WHY arts majors have to fulfill these requirements at Rutgers? What's the logic? Who dictated that and why? And does everyone agree with the logic? I know, for example, that some Mason Gross deans are rather liberal with withdrawals from Writing Program courses, so you may find a sympathetic voice in the dean's office there. But I think it's more important for you to seek out the counter-argument, since you appear to think there really isn't one (or, anyway, not a valid one). One goal of the class is for us to examine opposite sides of a controversy as dispassionately as possible, seeking to understand everyone's point of view and to understand the source of the conflict. That sounds like a good place for you to start.
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