theguardian.com
Decline in English Literature Degrees Reflects Broader Humanities Crisis
Canterbury Christ Church University is ending its English Literature degree program due to low student interest, reflecting a wider decline in humanities enrollment at both A-level and university levels, linked to factors such as tuition fees and government policies.
- How have government policies and university financial constraints influenced the reduction in humanities enrollment?
- Rising tuition fees and a focus on subjects with perceived better career prospects contribute to the decline in humanities enrollment. University financial pressures exacerbate the issue, causing cuts to arts and humanities departments. Government policies, such as Michael Gove's 2013 curriculum reforms emphasizing content-heavy courses and a focus on STEM subjects, also played a role.
- What are the long-term societal implications of the diminishing interest in humanities and the decline in reading for pleasure?
- The declining interest in reading for pleasure, indicated by a National Literacy Trust report showing only 35% of 8-18 year olds enjoying it (a 9% drop year-on-year), further contributes to the problem. This trend, coupled with the transactional nature of university education due to tuition fees, threatens the future of humanities education. The long-term impact could be a less intellectually engaged and critically thinking populace.
- What are the major factors contributing to the decline of English Literature degrees and humanities courses in UK universities?
- Canterbury Christ Church University's decision to discontinue its English Literature degree reflects a broader decline in humanities enrollment. A-level English Literature entries have dropped from 83,000 in 2013 to 54,000 in 2023, and university humanities enrollment fell from nearly 60% between 2003/4 and 2015/16 to 38% in 2021/22. This trend impacts not only English Literature but also other arts and humanities departments, leading to widespread closures and job losses.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the decline of English literature as a crisis, using strong language such as "wholesale retreat" and "perilous state." The headline itself sets a negative tone. While acknowledging counterarguments, the overall framing leans towards emphasizing the negative aspects of the situation, potentially influencing reader perception of the importance of English literature.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language such as "wholesale retreat," "perilous state," and "crisis." While these terms might reflect the author's perspective, they could be replaced with more neutral alternatives like "significant decline," "financial challenges," and "concerns." The use of phrases like "useful drones" to describe the outcome of vocational education carries a negative connotation.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the decline of English literature, mentioning the closure of other arts and humanities departments but not providing specific details or examples beyond a few named universities. While it acknowledges the financial pressures on universities, it doesn't delve into the complexities of funding models or alternative approaches to sustaining humanities programs. The impact of government policies on arts funding and the broader cultural context of reading decline are mentioned but not explored in depth.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified dichotomy between the perceived lack of student interest in English literature and the financial pressures on universities. It implies that these are the only factors at play, overlooking other potential influences such as curriculum changes, societal shifts in reading habits, and the evolving role of humanities in higher education.
Gender Bias
The article mentions a widening gender gap in reading rates but doesn't analyze the underlying causes or provide specific data. There is no overt gender bias in the language used, but the lack of deeper exploration of this aspect represents a potential omission.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a decline in English literature studies at both A-level and university levels in the UK. This decline suggests a potential negative impact on the quality of education, specifically in the humanities. The closure of English literature courses at Canterbury Christ Church University and other universities is a direct consequence of declining student enrollment and financial pressures on universities. This directly impacts access to humanities education and the development of critical thinking and analytical skills. The falling reading rates amongst 8-18 year olds further exacerbates the issue, potentially impacting future generations' access to quality education and literacy.