A discussion about forming a global canon for literary studies.
Written in 2008; 4,375 words; 7 sources; MLA; $ 115.95
Paper Summary:
This paper examines the issues of defining a literary canon and how possible it may be to arrive at a consensus of what is relevant and global within the liberal arts curricula. The paper points out that, as the world becomes more connected and universal education is recognized as a necessary tool for every nation's economic and political growth, conflicts are arising as to what constitutes a global education. Because different institutions use different terminology and the study of literature does not necessarily fall solely on those pursuing a degree in English (a problematic heading in and of itself), the paper uses liberal arts to refer to those subjects which have relevance to the issue of a literary canon. Additionally, this article only addresses issues of globalizing the literary canon in United States universities. The paper concludes that the literary canon should be thought of as a living entity, which must grow with time and shed what is no longer necessary.
From the Paper:
"Despite some of our best efforts to the contrary, the record of human history is wrought with error, supposition and straight out lies. Because of this, it sometimes becomes quite difficult to untangle the origins of certain ideas. The literary canon easily falls into this category. Commonly, Liberal Arts departments hold to the idea that the literary canon as we know and use it today has its origins in the eighteenth century. It will likely come as no surprise that during this time, the defined literary canon consisted of three central authors: Shakespeare, Spenser, and Milton. This canon was most likely supplemented by others who were no doubt judged as fitting for canonization based on meeting certain criteria which would set them within the sights of the canonical trinity. As Anderson describes them, these additions were most likely " masculine, authoritative, affirming the prevailing social order, and in command of a prestige mode of discourse" (344). In other words, the canon of this time undoubtedly consisted exclusively of what we now somewhat derisively refer to as "the dead white male." It is due to this model that the most heated of arguments have come about: whether or not to keep the status quo."
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