This wide-ranging analysis of doctoral education in English Studies challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about how English Ph.D. programs came to be, what purposes they serve, and what they might become--what they ought to become--in the 21st century. Section I traces the first century of English doctoral education in the American…

Details the origin, plan, and benefits of a high school program which created a bridge between classroom teacher, guidance counselor, and student. (DD)

Finds that, although literary theory is the language of expression in research-oriented universities that train Ph.D.s in English, most college English classes are still taught in the formalist way they have been for many years, suggesting a lack of communication between research and nonresearch institutions. (PA)

Considers why the traditional research paper seems to have been part of the English curriculum forever. Provides a glimpse at what teachers in the past have done to alter its teaching and final format and provides a background against which English teachers may want to reevaluate and reinspire their own teaching of the research paper. (SG)

Explains why courses on adolescent and children's literature are valuable additions to the college English curriculum. Outlines the content for both courses offered at Youngstown State University in Ohio. (MM)

Describes a one-semester academic composition course in the English curriculum of Amarillo Independent Schools, Texas. Discusses the advantages of incorporating computer technology into the course. (MM)

Describes the contradictory impulses embedded in the secondary English curriculum. Considers changing notions of the curriculum and recent trends in curriculum design and theory. Outlines the prominent features of successful curricula based on the concept of engendering coherent conversational domains. (HB)

Describes the lessons that can be learned from the recent history of assessment in the English language arts. Considers the possible future uses to which assessment might be put in the near future. Explores the assessment activities of the National Assessment of Educational Progress over the past several years. (HB)

Considers the difficulties inherent in developing a system of assessment through examination of student learning in Great Britain's A-level English literature instruction. Outlines the process of developing such a system as undertaken by the two appointed cochief examiners in 1986. (HB)

Discusses the special needs of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students within the context of writing laboratories. Considers the issues and options involved with training writing tutors to work with ESL students on their writing. (HB)

Reflects on the value of supplementing the reading of print fiction with the viewing of film and video in the English curriculum. Discusses intertextuality, media convergence, and multiliteracies. Notes use of the film "The Matrix" to bridge popular and classroom cultures. Explores the use of popular cultural texts in the contemporary…

Intended to help school districts develop their own language arts (kindergarten through grade twelve) curriculum guide, this handbook outlines a four-step process for curriculum planning: (1) organizing the curriculum committee; (2) identifying and assessing current philosophies and practices (includes certain standards for accreditation of…

The purpose of this publication is to encourage and assist high schools in designing elective English courses and programs for grades 10 through 12. After pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of using electives, the discussion shifts to salient questions concerning the planning, construction, and implementation of elective courses and…

Examines the current curriculum debate between revisionist (liberal) and revanchist (conservative) theorists. Argues that critical and self-critical interactions on both sides are needed to promote intellectual consideration of the problem of curriculum design. (MM)

Discusses the findings of an extensive research study of the authors and writing most frequently assigned in college-level English survey courses. Finds that similar historical periods and authors are considered in the survey courses offered by college and university English departments. Finds that traditional authors continue to be taught in…