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60.
History versus science
Some people say history is one the most important school subjects. Other people
think that, in today’s world, subjects like science and technology are more important
than history. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
There are many people who have called into question the importance in today’s world of
subjects like history, which do not have an immediately discernible impact on most future
careers. While I think that history should still be mandatory, more practical subjects
related to technology and the arts are more needed in our evolving world.
The main reason that students should study some history in school is that it provides
crucial insights into nations around the world that serve as springboards for later political
beliefs. In America, students learn about the American Revolution, the constitution and the
founding fathers periodically from elementary to high school. They learn about why the
war started (so that the colonies could tax and govern themselves) as well as the great
figures from history like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
Some of the principles students learn include the ideas of American exceptionalism, life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the responsibility of citizens to vote in a
representative democracy. Later in life, most people will lean liberal or conservative but
still hold the same basic convictions about individual liberty and responsibility. By knowing
the context in which these ideas emerged students can become adults with well-informed
political beliefs and it will be more difficult for unscrupulous politicians to make false
assertions about the past.
Although history should still be taught, the practical sciences and arts should be prioritised
because these are more likely to have an impact on a person’s future career. Very few
students will end up with careers in history, as historians or professors, but a large
percentage will work in the arts and especially the sciences. For example, in Vietnam the
most popular university majors are engineering, finance, and graphic design. If schools
emphasise maths at school then this will better prepare them to make calculations in
complex engineering projects or when working at a bank or accountancy firm. Even
learning how to draw and use colors in art class is more useful for students because of the
high demand for graphic designers on websites and advertisements. Countries that devote
more of their educational budget towards these practical subjects will give students a head
start on a potential future career and increase their chances of having a higher standard of
living.
It is clear that in this case a moderate approach is best. School administrators should not
remove history from the timetable but in my opinion they should devote more time and
Essays From Examiners 3.0
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January 1, 2019
resources to the teaching of subjects related to technology and the arts. This will become
ever more important as the tech industry continues to dominate the future job market.
Essays From Examiners 3.0
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