This collection of essays, "Literary Study, Measurement, and the Sublime: Disciplinary Assessment," edited by Donna Heiland and Laura J. Rosenthal, represents an important new venture in the Foundation's communication program. The book is the product of many authors, including the editors, both of whom have written essays for it. But it…

The complex problems confronting English and foreign language departments involve, among other things, student enrollments, budgetary shortfalls, lessened job opportunities for graduates, increased cries for accountability, and external intrusions into intradepartmental business. One area over which we have considerable control in the preparation…