Anime studies should be offered in American high schools

To refrain from being repetitive, I am going to briefly go over the arguments that my opponent made individually, than wrap everything up in a conclusion. I also thank Pro for a very insightful look into Anime, and for opening me up to some new Anime's. Serious StudyI have to points to make to counter this one. I have no doubt that Anime CAN be studied seriously. If it was indeed a class, it of course would have to be orchestrated such that it could be studied seriously. But just as my high school film studies class was, no one went into that class expecting to do any real studying. The homework, was more or less, finding fictional films of the 50's and watching them. In the end, what did I really gain from watching Lord of the Flies, and the original King Kong? Maybe a bit of interest in the concepts, but overall, most the people in that class including myself, took it because it was an easy A. While the course study from Anime may be a bit different, the average highschool mind is only going to be taking that class for an easy skate through A. Maybe there will be people who take the class seriously. But that brings up my next point. What are these types of classes bringing to students that benefits the school? How many of these students are actually going to pursue a career in Japanese Anime? And of the ones who just want to gain an acruistic taste for art, philosophy, and religion, what career skills are they really going to benefit from this class? Will kids not drop out of this class when they realize that it isn't full of the mindless action that you speak of? Unfortunately a good portion of teenagers follow this kind of Anime. Also doesn't showing teens this kind of stuff in high school actually do the opposite, of open them up to new things? It's that natural teenagers concept that makes you want to rebel against parents, teachers and society. Generally you want to dis-like and hate rules, and study created in school institutions. Anime Intruction is HelpfulIn this next point, my opponent has outlined some examples of what concept and values Japanese anime teaches. He shows many ways that Anime can be 'helpful' arguably, but when were talking in terms of subjectivity, Helpful takes a whole different approach. Do these minor concepts justify Anime being used in schools? The point about Saito being manipulative teacher to Sanuke, or the authoratarian father, are they enough to make an entire course for? Now when you speak in terms of what helpful is, to what end is Anime helpful? A students mere interest in a fictional concept, or a Students growth and development? How far can a student carry these values on into their lives to have it really make a difference? Why not spend time and valuable resources on more important classes, or studies? Anime being helpful is subjective, however, we cannot find a probable explanation to believe that this course would be more beneficial than the attribute to someone's own interest. Anime Reaches Students "it's interesting, it's mainstream, it deals with modern society, and avoids the limits of political correctness. "My response to this, remains as it was before. Do the student recognize these cultural aspects? Do they even care? When you watch an Anime, you generally seem to moer keen to paying attention to plot and entertainment value. A regular world studies class intends to focus on teaching the students. There is not as much room for distraction from the main point. A student wanting a passing grade will focus, and study, which will inevitably make them learn. A japanese Anime focuses on ONE culture, and is intent on creating entertainment value. Any good Japanese show, has to keep entertainment value as the main purpose in order to achieve viewers. Automatically, the primary focus isn't learning but to attract viewers, which makes the cultural aspect stand out just that much less to students. Curriculum Driven I sort of addressed this earlier. To expound on my point, of course a course in school would have to be curriculum driven. My point is that is won't work. You bring up a point about Geometry. Yes, the passing grade would be the motivational factor to the student. While the class may not be remotely interesting to the student, they inevitably learn. There isn't funny anime drama, or action to distract their mind a way from the main concept of geometry. Geometry is straight forward, and to the point, meaning the student lears no matter what, unless they simply choose to flunk out. How many students will actually understand the deep concepts that Anime brings? Even with someone pasuing a video to stand there and talk about it, will they care? Even if they do understand them, what is being benefited other than an understanding of a fictional drama? ReligionWhat specifically about religion in Anime can we really look at as pushing a student forward in their life? The argued part of religion being talked about in schol is kind of one of the "agree to dis-agree" arguments. However the main argument against this point is that there is no point! Students who are atheistic, agnostic, or of another religion, may not find it fair to be subjected to other religions through the form of a school classroom in which they have to learn. There is already plenty of problem with the teaching of evolution in schools with many students and parents. Do we need another class like this? Do who have interest in this kind of class really know or expect to be adopted in to Japanese religion as they enter into this class? Is it fair to do this to the students? Overall the religion aspect is an unfair way to subjicate someone to a concept against their own will. CONCLUSION My opponent has made some very good points throughout this debate. But here is what I think I have proven that Anime in schools does more harm than good. - Anime's entertainment value is too distracting for students, to pay attention to the values attempted to be taught. - There are better classes that can teach the same thing but with more variety. - Anime is low on the priority level for electives, and takes up space where students could be learning things that benefit them more. - With all of the current classes students need to graduate, a class like this could be distractive and harmful to their progress. - Students can better pursue studies of anime on their own time if they wish to become more knowledgable to Anime. A students own understanding, can open them up to a deeper state of thinking, rather than a teacher telling them what to make of a concept. Anime simply isn't justifiable in schools. Not only is some of the things in anime in appropriate for a schooling environments goals, but it also creates entertainment value instead of learning. It is possible to create both, but not through something that students can easily use as a scape goat class for a good grade. Even the good grade cannot be guaranteed, as there is no incentive for a student to care about these thoughts or concepts as opposed to being entertained, as the Anime is clearly intended to do. My opponent has made some fantastic points, but overall I think I have shown that Anime in schools does more harm than good.