Discussion

Ellekuttige 1

3

Sujith Ellekuttige

Professor: Amber Jensen

ENGL 101

28 July 2021

Reading Response

The two article covers different aspects. Professor Hofstader in Democracy and Anti-Intellectualism in America illuminates information regarding American development elements that historians have never evaluated in detail. The article starts and ends with a discussion of the contemporary movement (Hofstadter, 257). In the article, Hofstadter claimed that “American education today is in the midst of a great crisis” (Hofstadter, 257). Cultural and academic analysts have used the term in their evaluation of crisis and decline in American culture. In the article critiques offer useful commentary on American culture, most are based on and highlight thin views of intellectualism. Further, Hofstader examines several anti-intellectual aspects since the colonial era. Similar to his Age of reform that demonstrates agrarian revolt, he overcomes the urge to implement simple ethical resonance. One of his achievements involves the complexities of awareness that enables him to label good in addition to wrong movements. Anti-intellectualism might demonstrate itself in disagreement, which is one-sided, while the rivals could claim superior knowledge due to advanced education. Overall, I believe Hofstadter's article supported well because it shows how views towards academic learning and skill have evolved over American history. From his article not only embedded it in historical background but showed how such mindsets are part of the dichotomies in the American knowledge and philosophy.

Mark Edmundson argues in on the uses of Liberal Education that the university learners never value the humanity courses. Instead, the students perceive the lessons as an entertainment medium, while they should view the course as a challenge (Edmundson,291). Besides, Edmundson explains that the learners have inadequate inspiration. The consumer tradition in the society and the college are responsible for the humanities disregard. Edmundson elucidates that the universities could be accountable for the problem. Instead of concentrating on developing the college learning sections, the learning institutions' revenue and time on the college living conditions. He proposes that to attract future learners, the organizations must have several programs and functions to undertake during the lessons, for instance, fraternities sports, clubs, sororities, and recreational activities. According to Edmondson, excess finance is directed into such operations, and many universities are converting into country clubs instead of higher education institutions.

The authors cover diverse components. Hofstader covers anti-intellectualism during the colonial period. On the other hand, Edmundson concentrates on college education. Both the article emphasizes ethical practices in the society. The writers made a substantial contribution in addressing the matters in contemporary society.

Work Cited Edmundson, Mark. "On the uses of Liberal Education." Reading Popular Culture: An Anthropology for Writers, edited by Haper Magazine, Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2015, pp. 285-297. Hofstadter, Richard. "Democracy and Anti-Intellectualism in America." Reading Popular Culture: An Anthropology for Writers, edited by Michigan: Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2015, pp. 257-273.