PascalPalomino 2013-07-07 13:24:31

Sorry, my main langage is not english but I would like to comment on this. I think Literature and music should be mandatory. Knowing how to write is probably the most important skills you can have because it's everywhere, and although you can learn to read and write without studying and reading the classics you will miss a rich culture. If you study something study the best, not only grammar just to be functionnal, this would be boring.
Music is something else but some contry as made it mandatory and Hongary is one of the leader in that field probably because of the influence of Bartok and ly. They are more and more research that conclude that learning music stimulate many area of the brain at the same time. Because of this the person have more facility learning other stuff like language, mathematic and more.
Well those are my main input on this subject.

frootza 2013-07-07 18:42:29

Hey Skye,

Very observant of you! The educational system attempts to enrich the minds of our youth. Literature which is included in middle school/high school curriculum is often decided at a state level, but on occasion will be decided by school faculty members.

There is a hierarchy in place. We should be fortunate enough to be able to create music, art, and literature. In times of war and chaos, or when one's surroundings prevent them from expressing themselves, which element holds the most weight?

Look at the educational system and most importantly the sociological structure of low income areas in the United States. In these areas, a simple window repair may prove impossible due to a budget cut. Taxes are much lower, and as a result, schools suffer. If a school can't afford to give it's students a simple Mathematics text book, how can it afford to give a single child a trumpet?

Now look at your own life. You have a computer which you can use frequently, a few semi-expensive software packages, and you are fully capable of comprehending what you read; likewise capable of writing efficiently.

In short, it isn't mandatory because we have a socioeconomic divide. We have a natural instinct to survive as human beings. It is vital for a culture, for our spirit. Despite this, the arts remain secondary to what we need to survive as a society.

What do we do to combat these strange circumstances? We continue to write music and literature. We make art and ENCOURAGE others to do the same. Collaborate, and be supportive of your fellow artists despite your ego. Otherwise, slowly but surely, the arts will fade.

frootza 2013-07-07 22:45:26

Hey again Skye,

You mentioned "mandatory courses" on various occasions in your OP.

Those circumstance you referred to have never consistently been, and more than likely will never be the case in the real world. We are always under pressure of being at war either at home or in other countries. Poverty has been around since man invented money.

It really isn't about what you mentioned. The answer to question you are posing isn't so simple. You need to understand that the socioeconomic divide is the root of many of our worlds problems, and for a better understanding of this, you'll have to do some of your own research.

I've taken many music classes in my lifetime, in High School and College. Not once was I in a classroom where I was unable to play an instrument in some way. Whether that be voice, piano, etc. To appreciate music, you need to play it. Likewise, to appreciate literature, you should write it. To appreciate art, you should make art. If people want to analyze music without instruments, they will listen to the radio and talk about it. This happens naturally in our culture which is why there are regional "music scenes" for people to become involved with.

I answered your question already. In times of war, what is more important? Having a stable successful economy that can compete with other countries intellectually in order to progress as a nation? Or being able to make relevant commentary about the music playing on the radio? It is about prioritizing. Music, while we thrive on it emotionally, is statistically less significant than studying language and mathematics. (Not my personal opinion, but it is just how the world works)

Anyway, great news post and discussion topic!