Addresses the problems in discussing nineteenth-century British literature in the classroom and advocates encouraging students to take and support various interpretations of text. (DF)

Considers the other Gibbon, independent of his greatest work, "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"; concentrates on the period before the conception of the book and after the delivery of it. (Author/RK)

Uses M. Ibrahim Alladin's "Racism in Canadian Schools" as a catalyst for discussing some multicultural and antiracist teaching strategies employed in Ontario (Canada) high school English classrooms since the 1980s. Defines racism and outlines differences between multiculturalism and antiracism. Examines how writer John Borovilos…

Examines how secondary students socialized into the complex and demanding discourse of English Literature. Considers what factors from the student's perspective, particularly those for whom English is their second language, distinguish those who more actively participate from those who do not. Addresses how one teacher sought to do this through an…

Argues that, although Matthew Arnold was instrumental in launching English literature in Britain as a proper school subject, he purposively limited the extent of literature's educational value. (MG)

Disputes assertions by some academics that Chaucer was the first technical writer in English. Suggests that numerous examples of technical prose predated Chaucer's works. Argues that technical writing historians will find it more profitable to investigate the tradition of English practical prose than to find further firsts for their field. (SG)

Examines some considerations that Shakespeare's plays raise for students and teachers of political science. Using the plays "Richard II and III" and "Henry IV, V, and VI," Gleicher discusses the genre of the history play, describes the historical and political position from which Shakespeare wrote, and identifies themes in…

According to five surveys, only four major authors--Shakespeare, Dickens, Hawthorne, and George Eliot--have survived the dramatic 90-year shift from a predominantly British (or Eurocentric) curriculum to a primarily U.S. curriculum. Programs must now evolve to reflect the cultures of all students, while maintaining appropriate intellectual, moral,…

Uses an informal survey to explore students' attitudes toward the study of English and literature. Concludes that an introductory course should keep literature in touch with the history of ideas, allow for the systematic take-up of critical issues and problems, and enable students to relate their reading to particular philosophical, moral, and…

Examines two studies that investigated methods of teaching and learning in England's post-16 curriculum, focusing on differences in English literature and English-language instruction. The studies collected students' perceptions of instructional practices. Results suggest that teachers do not vary their teaching styles when teaching the two…

Describes novel ways in which the Orlando Project, based at the Universities of Alberta and Guelph, is using Standardized General Markup Language (SGML) to create an integrated electronic history of British women's writing in English. Discusses the types of documents being created and the related SGML requirements. (DSK)

Describes two gaming strategies which teach poetry using quotations extracted from six Shakespeare plays. Discusses selecting plays and quotations, games for matching quotations, and providing synopses and introducing characters. Describes in detail learning objectives, player distribution, adjudicator role, procedures and rules, and debriefing…