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Decanonizing the curriculum: English degree requirements in Canadian universities today, and the promise of a method-focused degree.

Authors :
Banting, Sarah
Scarlett, Madeline
Source :
Arts & Humanities in Higher Education; Apr2024, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p173-188, 16p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This paper proposes that a curricular shift we call "decanonization" is shaping contemporary English Major degrees at Canadian universities. We believe it is a response to a complex set of challenges currently facing departments as they program their undergraduate degrees in English, and, in a qualified way, we endorse it as a positive change: it can be seen as a step toward decolonization. But we argue that some forms of decanonized degree have unfortunate implications. While we affirm that our colleagues across the country are doing everything they can to sustain robust, current degrees in challenging circumstances, those circumstances have resulted in some cases in what appears to be a hollowed-out, underdefined degree. We propose an alternate curriculum, based on method, that seems to us particularly promising in the current context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14740222
Volume :
23
Issue :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Arts & Humanities in Higher Education
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
176356144
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/14740222231213972