The
editorial titled "The Guardian view on humanities in universities: closing
English Literature courses signals a crisis," published on December 5,
2024, presents a thought-provoking perspective on the current state of reading
and the humanities.
The
announcement that Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent will cease
offering English literature degrees paints a stark picture: the university
claims that few students are interested in studying English literature at the
degree level anymore, rendering the course unviable. This trend is not
isolated; there is a notable decline in A-level English literature enrolment,
which has dropped from 83,000 in 2013 to just 54,000 in 2023. The decline is
also evident at the university level, compounding concerns about the future of
arts and humanities education.
Perhaps
most troubling is the widespread closure of arts and humanities departments
across the country. Institutions such as Goldsmiths, Oxford Brookes, and Surrey
have seen hundreds of academics laid off as these programs face diminishing
support.
Additionally,
the closure of the English literature course at Canterbury Christ Church
coincided with a National Literacy Trust report indicating a sharp decline in
reading for pleasure among young people aged 8 to 18. Only 35% of this
demographic reported enjoying reading, marking a drop of nearly 9 percentage
points in just one year. This troubling trend is accompanied by a widening
gender gap in reading habits. Factors contributing to this decline include the
overwhelming influence of social media, the closure of libraries, and
decreasing attention spans.
Given
these statistics, one cannot help but wonder: Are we witnessing an erosion of
reading culture that may undermine critical thinking, empathy, and intellectual
growth in society?
Looking
beyond Western contexts, I am curious about reading habits in India.
Interestingly, the English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELTAI)
launched a nationwide movement in 2023 to promote reading, signalling a
potential counter-narrative to the declining trends observed elsewhere.
As
we assess the future of reading and the humanities, it is crucial to examine
both the challenges and the initiatives aimed at revitalizing a love for
literature and critical thought.
References
Guardian editorial:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/dec/05/the-guardian-view-on-humanities-in-universities-closing-english-literature-courses-signals-a-crisis
The Hindu article entitled ‘India reads’:
https://www.thehindu.com/education/an-interview-with-prof-k-elango-on-the-india-reads-movement/article66511953.ece
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