Research In English: Literature Curriculum in the U.S. and Canada.

Purpose of this blog: Reviews of interesting research in English education journals. When possible, I suggest applications to the classroom.

Research in English: Literature Curriculum in the U.S. and Canada

10-second review: British literature permeates the curriculums of both American and Canadian high schools in Massachusetts and Ontario. American literature also permeates the curriculum in the school in Ontario, but no Canadian literature was taught in the Massachusetts school.

Title: “Of Literary Import: A Case of Cross-national Similarities in the Secondary English Curriculum in the United States and Canada.” A Skerrett. Research in the Teaching of English (August 2010), 36-58. ‘

Summary: The literature curriculums in a high school in Ontario and a high school in Massachusetts were compared. Not surprisingly, both high schools emphasized British literature. American literature was also taught in the Canadian and American schools. But no Canadian literature was taught in the American high school.

Quote: “Two strong patterns in relation to the national origins of the literature were found in both schools. First, at both schools literature of British origin was afforded the highest status—a somewhat unsurprising finding given that both the United States and Canada bear historical cultural ties to Britain, which has colonized the literary imagination of much of the world…. However, a second more noteworthy ;pattern emerged in relation to the role of U.S. literature on the Canadian school’s curriculum. And, in fact, U.S. literature was taught more frequently than was Canadian literature at this school [in Ontario]. In a significant contrast, no Canadian texts were studied at the U.S. school.”

Comment: Not surprising. The literature departments at U.S. colleges emphasize British and American literature. However, even such sources as Benet’s Readers Encyclopedia do not include much in Canadian literature. If Canadian literature had the significance of American literature, Canadian literature would also be taught. Another warning to the U.S. not to be so provincial. Need to search out worthwhile Canadian literature. RayS.