Analysis of Hidden Intellectualism, by Gerald Graff

If I am to read Dr.Seuss over the dictionary does that make me worthless? In highschool I often could never relate to the stories I was made to read. I would always find my mind wandering about different things or I would find myself not caring about the grades I made. I would often put my head in the book and drift off to sleep, that would result in trouble. Many times, when I got in trouble and had to go to the office I did not care because I was not being bored by the readings that were being forced on me. Although teachers feel differently about what is intellectual, but students should not feel bad for not being able to relate.

In the essay “Hidden Intellectualism” Gerald Graff expressed his views on education. He feels that teachers or professors only see traditional subjects or text as intellectually valuable even though, although as a professor himself, he disagrees with it. He feels that the spectrum should be broadened to be able to interact with the kids more and get them more interested in the reading that are taught in schools. He is speaking to teachers in an effort to get them to change from the mindset of teaching traditionally and get reading that students to relate to. He is also speaking to students to get them to feel better about not being able to relate certain readings, and to also see that not being able to relate to the readings is not a bad thing. Although Pop Culture reading is not considered as intellectual reading it should be.

During Graff’s childhood, he was not able to relate to readings that he was given in school. Instead, Graff was interested in baseball. Being that Graff was interested in baseball, he would often find himself reading books and magazines about baseball and baseball pla...

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...fessors do not see Pop Culture readings as a form of intellectualism, or what is considered suitable reading for academics. Even though Graff is a professor, he can identify with students and how they feel about bow they can not relate to readings that are see as intellectual in an academic setting. If students are to never catch on to read the different reading that teachers think are suitable, will students give up or will they eventually stop caring.In an academic setting, will Pop Culture readings ever become considered as intellectual and will teachers ever allow students to pick out their own readings. If they don’t will the teachers ever see an interest in the students and their work.

Works Cited

Graff, G. "Hidden Intellectualism." Pedagogy: Critical Approaches to Teaching Literature, Language, Composition, and Culture 1.1 (2001): 786-90. Print.