Anime studies should be offered in American high schools

Anime, in the world today, is quite a blissful way for youth to enjoy themselves, and find a great amount of entertainment. I myself, have found myself intricate in some Anime throughout my youth. But should it be taught in schools? The suggested course name for this hypothetical class is "Anime studies", which seems to suggest or imply that the students would be learning first hand, the meanings and concepts that are portrayed in these anime saga's. My purpose in this debate, is not to undermine anime, or the fact that Anime can be meaningful, insightful, or even philosophically intrinsic, but that it overall, will be more of a detriment in the schooling systems than it would be a benefit.Most of my case will be a Rebuttal to Roy's, but for the sake of being professional, I will go over Roy's point individually (though briefly, so as not to repeat myself).REBUTTALS:1. Anime takes Youth Seriously. My opponent makes a point to the themes and purposes of Japanese based anime, that the concepts of an anime can help teach youth. He uses examples of respect for elders, even though they are sometimes odd. My tack on this example is, that as a youth who is supposed to not only respect their elders, but learn from them as well, will this type of Anime really influence someone to do good?"Our children are watching us live, and what we ARE shouts louder than anything we can say." - Wilferd A. Peterson This Quote supports the argument that children learn from their superiors. According to a study done by the university of Chicago, called the Journey to Abnormal Psychology, "Social skills can be interpreted as everything from the basic polite "please" and "thank you" to speaking in front of crowds."http://www.livestrong.com... http://www.apa.org...If the message that these anime's are giving to students revolves around stealing woman's underwear, is the impact of studying this in schools really going to be beneficial?While this is a minor point, The main thing I am trying to get across here, is that while an Anime may have theme's and concepts that people can interpret as good, does it overall serve us to teach them in school? If we wanted to be technical, we could play a porno in schools, using the excuse that it is artistic way to show how people have to choose between true love, and family betrayal, when a young woman is having a sexual affair with her father. We can look into any anime, and find important concepts, but are the youths really focusing on this aspect of the Anime, or the entertainment value of the anime? 2. A Hypermodern society This point is kind of a blunt, context-less way of saying that Japanese anime is a futuristic. However, I am kind at a loss for a rebuttal to this, as it lacks an impact on the benefit this type of anime brings to schools. Not only do literature classes in school use modern, or futuristic context such as a Brave New World, The giver, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and even the hunger games (as silly as it sounds, yes they are reading it in schools), but they also have their own subjective philosophic value to schools. Shakespeare isn't the only thing taught in schools. I am not going to go into much detail, because my case will touch more on my impact. However, older text's such as Shakespeare, are taught to give students a better understanding of where alot of our literature originates from.http://www.shmoop.com...http://en.wikipedia.org...http://en.wikipedia.org...http://en.wikipedia.org...3. Anime and Religion I have no doubt that anime has an impact on religion. For the purpose of clarity, however, what's focus on the importance level of religious aspects being taught in schools. It is my intention to stand by that religious merits, and philosophical beliefs should be kept on a students own time, rather than being gleamed in schools. I stand, that elective classes teaching such religious material, should be taken out of schools, as they can be pursued on a students own time. 4. Multi-Culturalism To me this point seems a little redundant. If we want to study Japanese Culture, can students not take other classes that prioritize a bit more in the bigger cultural aspects of Japan? From one World Studies Course, a student can learn the major principles of Japanese Culture, and other countries as well, while Anime may focus on one specific culture aspect, and devote it's entire saga to that principle alone. I agree completely with Roy, that things can be taken out of the curriculum to make space for something else. But is anime really what we should be substituting it with? MY CASE: Contention 1: The problem with the current schooling system. Before I can address the harms of anime in a schooling system, I have to in-corporate my position on what the flaws of the current system are. So I ask the question: What is the purpose of school? While many different schools have many different mission statements, the overall underlying aspects of school can be collectively agreed on that Civic, Emotional, Cognitive, Vocational, and Social Development. In addition to this, schooling can best be attributed to how it can best best progress, or incorporate skills into a students life, that can better help them be successful later in there own careers.http://www.purposeofschool.com... Do current schooling systems support these above values? Some do, some don't. Granted, not all schooling systems are flawless, most could definitely use improvement. So we must consider the value of specific classes to a students development. Students have a lot of stress as it is in trying to meet the graduation requirements. Three years of English Two years of mathematics (including Algebra I) Three years of social science (including U.S. history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; one semester of American government; and one semester of economics) Two years of science (including biology and physical science) Two years of physical education One year of foreign language or visual and performing arts http://www.cde.ca.gov...Not only do students have to worry about failing and restarting classes, but they also have to worry about the effect that studying on their own time will accost them. While some of the more go-getter's can achieve 4.0's and still manage to succeed in these areas, what curricular classes should they explore on their own time? Does it benefit a school to give classes that people seek out for mere entertainment purposes only? Not only would the school have to pour the limited use of government money into classes, that can benefit the school no more than an adding entertainment value to a students life. A class on the art of video games can be just as equally interesting as a class on anime studies, however should it be used in the same school hours that students need to gain the skills listed above? These types of interested are better pursued in their own time, or in college, when a student has their entire life to pursue their own career goals. Contention 2: Priority of classes Tying into point in C1, What type of electives should be offered? The American schooling systems should weigh the principles of importance of classes when it comes to distribution of government resources. In accordance with my opponents point about cutting down curriculum, maybe we cold cut some of the more useless classes, an add in courses that could better benefit the student in their futures. Hands on classes, things that deal with real world applications, etc. American Finance, is an elective class. But shouldn't learning how to stay financially healthy be more important than learning how to write an essay? I love anime, and people should definitely get into it if they want some good entertainment. But is watching Sanosuke get his butt kicked going to benefit someone's education?