Critical Analysis Of Phillips' Argument In Her Zombie Essay
Critical Analysis Of Phillips Argument In Her Essay Zombie Studies G
Critical Analysis of Phillips' argument in her essay "Zombie Studies Gain Ground on College Campuses" Compose a fully-developed paragraph to critically analyze Phillips' argument. Use the points you learned in the "Reading with a Critical Eye" text for your analysis. (500 words) What are the main points Erica Phillips uses to support her argument that zombies are gaining ground on college campuses? Who are the authorities that she presents to provide credibility to her argument. Does she present you with facts or opinions? Is her information current? Does her background give her any authority on the subject? What are the strengths and weaknesses of her argument?
Paper For Above instruction
Erica Phillips’ essay "Zombie Studies Gain Ground on College Campuses" presents a compelling argument that the cultural phenomenon of zombies is increasingly gaining academic legitimacy and popularity among college students and faculty. To support her claim, Phillips highlights the rise of zombie-themed courses, conferences, and scholarly research, emphasizing that this trend reflects broader societal interests and the evolving landscape of humanities education. She cites various scholarly authorities, such as academics involved in zombie studies programs and university course catalogues, to lend credibility to her argument, demonstrating that zombie studies are becoming a recognized interdisciplinary field. Phillips also references specific examples from U.S. colleges offering courses on zombie literature, film, and cultural symbolism, providing concrete evidence rather than mere opinions. Her use of current data, including recent course offerings and academic conferences, underscores the timely nature of her argument, reinforcing that this is a contemporary phenomenon. Phillips’ background as a journalist specializing in cultural analysis further grants her some authority when discussing popular culture trends, though her primary role is reportage rather than scholarly research, which might limit her academic authority. The strengths of her argument lie in her detailed cataloging of academic initiatives and her ability to connect popular culture with academic inquiry, thus illustrating a cultural shift towards recognition of zombie studies as a legitimate field. However, a notable weakness is the potential for her reliance on selectively highlighting examples that support her thesis, possibly overlooking the limited scope of zombie studies compared to traditional disciplines. Moreover, while Phillips convincingly demonstrates the growing academic interest, she provides limited statistical data on the overall rise in zombie-centered coursework or research, which could have strengthened her claims. Additionally, her analysis tends to underscore the popularity aspect without deeply examining the substantive academic contributions or challenges faced by zombie studies as a discipline. Overall, Phillips’ essay successfully argues that zombie studies are gaining ground in academic settings, supported by credible authorities and current examples, though it might benefit from a more critical exploration of the discipline’s depth and staying power within academia.
References
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- Phillips, E. (2021). "Zombie Studies Gain Ground on College Campuses." The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/education/zombie-courses.html
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