English Economis'D1989

Has English as a subject been totally 'economis'd'? Are terms like literature, art, criticism, values, redundant in this utilitarian, reductionist period? Martin Dodsworth, chairman of the English Association, raises these issues in editing and introducing the current volume of Essays and Studies. Professor Dodsworth points to the radical changes taking place in British schools, notably the implementation of the National Curriculum, the greater emphasis on language, and likely broadening of A Levels. He asks how higher education will cope with the wider range of likely entrants, given the severe staffing and resource cuts it has recently suffered. The essays which comprise the bulk of the book explore the options which exist or may exist within the current contraints. Several contributors - Isobel Armstrong, Daniel Lamont, and Roger Sell -- emphasise the centrality of language, now seen more often as a cultural practice than as the medium of literature, the traditional concern of English departments. Ronald Carter sees the new linguistic focus as changing and broadening British university syllabuses, and Michael Irwin discusses the new interdisciplinary studies which take this process further. Lyn Pykett argues for greater involvement in school English on the part of universities, while Peter Corbin's account of research into English graduates' career progress helps to set the subject in its national context. -- from back cover.