Rhetorical Analysis – Beer and Circus

In Beer and Circus, Murray Sperber argues that the level of education of major universities in the United States is quickly deteriorating. He argues that big-time college sports play a large roll in this decline.

WATCO: Big-time College sports on the level of education at large universities?

Claim: Big-time College sports hurt the level of education at large universities because the focus on socializing and partying distracts students from their studies.

Audience: Critics of modern higher education who ignore the student population in the reviews and critiques.

Sperber is very persuasive in his arguments against college sports. First, he is a highly credible writer, having published numerous books about similar subjects. He has also been an English Professor at Indiana University for the past three decades or so. His book appeals to anyone who is frustrated with the state of modern education, citing large class sizes and high tuition (among other things) as components of modern student life. Students, parents and critics all feel frustration at these trends. His research is very extensive, and he provides sufficient evidence of his claims throughout the book. One area in which his argument is unique, however, is in relation to other critics’ views of education today. Many critiques focus on the university presidents and professors, but spend little time on the students. He feels that the students are the key to a university and makes his argument from their perspective. Though different, this view is effective in his argument.

Beer and Circus is an intriguing book. Though it does not read like a novel, the subject matter is interesting and very thorough. Sperber makes his argument well and relates sports to educational failures in ways many people have not even considered.