Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This paper offers a response to the new Australian English Curriculum, by focusing on the idea of literature in transition from the current syllabi into the new, particularly regarding the concerns of faith-based schooling. The recent history of English curriculum models is surveyed, along with a theoretical description of curriculum perspectives and their ontologies. The reassertion of canonical thinking in the new Australian English Curriculum is ontrasted with the ‘emancipatory critical literacy ‘foci of existing Australian curricula. Complaints about the emancipatory approaches in existing syllabi are summarized before considering how the shift to the canonical might be received by faith-based education. It is argued that canonical approaches are likely to be seen as more congruent with faith-based education. This is tempered for the sub-sector of Christian schooling, however, by discreet theological claims that emancipatory approaches need retaining, yet only as an ameliorant to the excesses of the canonical. In this way a particular critique of the Essentials English Course is offered.

Keywords

Australia critical literacy curriculum English school teaching

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

ACARA. (2010a). Australian curriculum consultation portal. http://www.austraKancurriculum.edu.au/SeniorYears/English/Essential%20English. Accessed on 28th May 2010

ACARA. (2010b). The shape of Australian curriculum: English. http://wwwaustraliancurriculum.edu.au/SeniorYears/English/Essential%20English. Accessed on 28th May 2010

ACTDET. (2007). Curriculum framework for ACT schools, sections 7-10. Every chance to learn. Australian Capital Territory: Department of Education and Training. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wwwdet.act.gov.au/schools/pdf/currEveryChanceToLearn-Phase2Framework.pdf

Applebee

& Purves

(1992). ‘Literature and the language arts’ in. Jackson

(ed) Handbook of research on curriculum. pp 726–748. New York: Macmillan.

Atlantic Canada. (date undisclosed). English language arts curriculum. Prince Edward Island education authority. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/edlangartsl012.pdf

Bloom

(1991). Harold Bloom: The art of criticism: Interview by Antonio Weiss’. Paris Review V 33, #118 (Spring, 1991). pp 178–232.

Bloom

(1994). The Western canon: The books and school of the ages. New York: Harcourt Brace

Bos. (2010a). Board of Studies K-6 English Syllabus. NSW Board of Studies home page. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/. Accessed on 28th May 2010

Bos. (2010b). Board of Studies 7-10 English Syllabus. NSW Board of Studies home page. http://wwwboardofstudies.nswi.edu.au/. Accessed on 28th May 2010

10.

Bos. (2010c). Board of Studies Advanced and Standard English Syllabus. NSW Board of Studies home page. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/. Accessed on 28th May 2010

11.

Bos. (2010d). Board of Studies English Extension 1 Syllabus. NSW Board of Studies home page. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/. Accessed on 28th May 2010

12.

Bos. (2010e). Board of Studies English Extension 2 Syllabus. NSW Board of Studies home page. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/. Accessed on 28th May 2010

13.

Bos (2011). NSW Board of Studies Australian Curriculum draft. accessed 23.8.2011 at http://wwwboardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/australian-curriculum/pdf_doc/english-k10-draft-syllabus.pdf

14.

Bourdieu

(1992). Language & symbolic Tower. Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University Press

15.

Brock

[Paul Ney-Brock and Paul Brock are the same person. He is referred to throughout as Brock] (1985). ‘Some aspects of secondary English education in Australia’. Australian Studies centre. London. University of London. Retrieved 8.3.2011. from http://wwwkcl.ac.uk/content/l/c6/01/51/32/WP3Nay-Brock.pdf

16.

Buchanan

& Rymarz

(2008). An introduction to Catholic education. Sydney: David Barlow Publishing.

17.

Campolo

(2008). Red letter Christians: A citizen's guide to faith and politics. CA.

Regal Books

18.

CDF: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “Nota explicativa alla notificazione sulle opere di P. Jon Sobrino, S.I.” www.vatican. va. Retrieved 7.3.2011 from http://212.77.L245/news_services/bulletin/news/19857.php?index=19857&lang=po#TRADUZIONE%20IN%20LINGUA%20%20INGLESE.

19.

Collier

(1998). Critical Realism. London. Routledge & Kegan Paul

20.

Court

(1992). Institutionalizing English literature. The culture and politics of literary study, 1750-1900. Stanford. Stanford University Press

21.

Cox

(1988). The silenang of Leonardo Boff: The Vatican and the future of world Christianity. IL.

Meyer-Stone Books

22.

CSA (2010). Curriculum panel. Australian Christian schools national policy forum. Canberra (26th May 2010)

23.

Dawkins

(1987). Higher education: a policy discussion paper. Canberra. AGPS.

24.

Devine

(2008). ‘English teachers have lost the plot’. Sydney Morning Herald Opinion. Accessed 23.8.2011 from http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/miranda-devine/english-teachers-have-lost-the-plot/2008/09/19/1221331201826.html

25.

Diocese of Broken Bay, CSO. (2008). Diocesan Literay Plan. Retrieved on 16.6.08 on http://wiWiWi.cso.brokenbay.cafholic.edu.au/resources/pdfs/Literacy_K-12_2003-2007a.pdf

26.

Dixon

(1975). Growth through English. Yorkshire.

NATE

27.

Donnelly

(2006). Dumbing Down: Outcomes-based and Politically Correct — The Impact of the Culture Wars on our Schools, Hardie Grant: Prahran.

28.

Donnelly

(2008). ‘English Goes Back to Basics’. Australian, retrieved 7.3.2011 from http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24508876—5015664,00.html

29.

Eagleton

(1983). Literary theory, an introduction. Minneapolis.

University of Minnesota press

30.

Eagleton

(2008). Literary theory. Minneapolis.

University of Minnesota press

31.

Edlin

(1999). The cause of Christian education. Sydney. National Institute for Christian Education

32.

Eliot

T.S.

(1920). The sacred wood. Essays in poetry and criticism. London. Methuen

33.

ETA. (2010). ‘ETA draft response to ACARA’. Sydney.

ETA

34.

Fowler

(1979). ‘Future Christians and church education’. In. Runyon

(ed) Hope for the Church: Moltmann in Dialogue with Practical Theology,. Nashville: Abingdon.

35.

Frye

(1988). On education. Ontario.

Fitzhenry and Whiteside

36.

Golsby-Smifh

(2007). Conversation in the classroom: Exploring the 1999 NSW stage 6 syllabus. Unpublished thesis. Sydney University of Sydney.

37.

Grenz

(2004). Rediscovering the Triune God: The Trinity in Contemporary Theology. Minneapolis. Fortress Press.

38.

Gunn

(ed). (1971). Literature and religion. London.

SCM Press

39.

Gunton

(1993). The one, the three and the many. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

40.

Gutiérrez

(1973). A theology of liberation: History, politics, salvation. NY. Orbis.

41.

Hastie

(2009a). ‘Elitism and the gospel of Christ, uneasy bedfellows in Christian education’. Eternity, No. 2, Dec

42.

Hastie

(2009b). Here's one I wrote earlier. The great exam scam’. Sydney Morning Herald Letters, 2nd Nov 2009 (http://wwwsmh.com.au/national/letters/heres-one-i-rote-earlier-the-great-exam-sham-20091101-hrht.html)

43.

Hastie

(2010). Will Christian schools grant Howard's last wish? Eternity, No. 3, Feb

44.

Harris

(1979). Education and knowledge: The structured misrepresentation of reality. London.

Routledge & Kegan Paul

45.

Hawkes

(2010). ‘Ladder of opportunity rises above league tables’. Sydney Morning Herald, January 27, 2010 retrieved on 4.3.2011 from http://wwrw.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/ladder-of-opportunity-rises-above-league-tables-20100126-mw8b.html

46.

Hammersley

(2002). ‘Research as emancipator. The case of Bhaskar's Critical Realism.’ Journal of Critical Realism. 1:1. Nov

47.

Howie

(2008). ‘Critical Literacy, the future of English and the work of mourning. English in Australia’, vol. 43.3, AATE. Accessed 1.2.2011, http://wwwaate.org.au/files/documents/433%20Howie.pdf

48.

Howie

(2010). ‘President's report. Metaphor’. Vol 2, 2010. ETA. Sydney

49.

IBO. (2008). ‘Language Al English 1-2 workshop’. Training session. Sydney. IBO

50.

Jzaworski

& Coupland

(eds.). (2002). The Discourse Reader. London.

Routlege & Kegan Paul

51.

Justins

(2009). ‘League Tables’. Christian Teacher's Journal, 18 1

52.

Leavis

F R.

(1952). The Common Pursuit. London.

Chatto & Windus

53.

Lewis

C. S.

(1961). An experiment in critiasm. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

54.

Lewis

C. S.

(1974). Studies in words. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

55.

Marginson

(1993). Education and public policy in Australia. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.

56.

Marginson

(2011). ‘Can we afford to continue funding private schools?’ Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 4.3.2011 from http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/can-we-afford-to-continue-funding-private-schools-20110211-laqkehtml

57.

McMurty

(1985). English language, English literature. The creation of an academic discipline. London.

Mansell

58.

Melbourne Declaration. (2008). Melbourne Deckration on educational goals for young Australians. MCEETYA, accessed on 25.8.2011 from http://wwwcurriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/?ational_Declaration_on_the_Educational_Goals_for_Young_Australians.pdf

59.

Micheals

(2001). The Constitution of subject English in New South Wales Senior English Documents 1953-1994. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Sydney.

Macquarie University

60.

Misson

& Morgan

(2006). Critical Literacy and the aesthetic: Transforming the English classroom. National Council of Teachers of English. Ill. Urbana.

61.

Moffett

(1968). Teaching the universe of discourse. Boston.

Houghton Mifflin

62.

Moltman

(1974). The cruafied God. London.

SCM Press

63.

Morgan

(1997). Critical literacy in the classroom: The art of the possible. London.

Routledge

64.

NAPLAN (2011). National assessment programme-literacy and numeracy. ACARA. Retrieved on 25.8.2011 from http://wrvsrw.naplan.edu.au/

65.

Nord

(2011). ‘Between reflection and Transformation: Christian ethos within a framework of Freirían praxis’. International Transforming Education Conference (ITEC), Darwin July 2011. (audio file) accessed 23.8.2011 from http://wrww.nice.edu.au/scholarly.aspx

66.

NTDEET. (2008). Northern Territory curriculum framework. English learning area. Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wrwrwr.deet.nt.gov.au/education/teaching_and_learning/curriculum/ntcf/docs/learning_areas_english.pdf;

67.

NSWBos. (1999, 2003 2007). English stage 6. English 7-10. English. K-6 syllabus. NSW: Board of Studies. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wwwboardofstudies.nswr.edu.au/

68.

Olsen

(2007). ‘Jacques Derrida on rhetoric and composition: A Conversation’ Journal of Advanced Composition (JAC), Theory Project. Retrieved on 8.3.2011 from http://lilt.ilstu.edu/fheory/aufhors/derrida.htm

69.

O'Neil

(1992). ‘Contested ground. English syllabus and examination practices in Western Australia.’ Curriculum perspectives. Vol 12. No. 1, April.

70.

Ontario . (2007). The Ontario curriculum, grades 11-12, English. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wrwrwr.edu.govon.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/english1112currb.pdf;

71.

O'Sullivan

(2005). Silent voices: English teacher's response to curriculum change, Unpublished PhD Thesis. Sydney. Macquarie University School of Education.

72.

QDETA (2002a). English key learning area. Queensland: Department of Education, Training and The Arts. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/area/english/index.html;

73.

QDETA. (2002b). English senior syllabus. Queensland: Department of Education, Training and The Arts. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wrwrw.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrs11_12/subjects/english/syllabus.pdf;

74.

QSA. (2007). Summary QSA quarterly [yrs1-10]. Queensland Studies Authority. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wrwrwr.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrsltolO/kla/english/docs/qsa_quarterlypdf

75.

Rogers

(2004). An introduction to critical discourse analysis in Education. New Jersey.

Lawrence Erlbaum

76.

Ryken

(1985). Windows to the world: Literature in Christian perspective. Grand Rapids, ML: Zondervan.

77.

Ryan

(ed.). (2001). Echo and silence: Contemporary issues for Australian religious education. Katoomba, NSW: Social Science Press.

78.

Ryan

(2007). A common search. The history and forms of religious education in Catholic schools. Brisbane: Lumino Press

79.

SADECS. (date undisclosed). South Australian standards and accountability framework, learning areas, English. South Australia: Department of Education and Children's Services. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wwwsacsa.sa.edu.au/index_fsrc.asp?t=LA;

80.

Said

(2000). ‘Identity, authority, and freedom: The potentate and the traveller’. Transition. No. 54 (1991), pp. 4–18. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2934899

81.

Said

Edward W

(2004). Humanism and Democratic Criticism. Columbia University Press.

82.

Sawyer

Watson

& Gold

(1998). Re-viewing English. Sydney: St Clair Press.

83.

Sayers

(1979). The mind of the maker. New York: Harper & Row.

84.

Schiro

(2008). Curriculum theory. Conflicting visions and enduring Concerns. Boston.

Sage.

85.

Sider

(1977). Rich Christians in an age of hunger. Nashville.

Thomas Nelson

86.

Sobrino

(1978). Christology at the crossroads. A Latin American approach. London.

SCM Press.

87.

Steiner

(1989). Realpresences. London: Faber and Faber.

88.

Steiner

(2001). Grammars of creation. London: Faber and Faber.

89.

Slattery

(2008a). ‘Curriculum cordiality in the air.’ Australian, retrieved 7.3.2011 from http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/lukeslattery/index.php/theaustralian/comments/curriculum_cordiality_in_the_air.

90.

Slattery

(2008b). ‘Uncritical elevation of a loopy fad.’ Australian, retrieved 7.3.2011 from http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24706127-5015675,00.html.

91.

Symes

& Gulson

(2008). ‘Faith in education: The politics of funding and the new Christian schooling in Australia.’ Educational Policy March vol. 22 no. 2 231–249

92.

Symes

& Gulson

(2005). ‘Crucifying Education: The rise and rise of Christian education in Australia.’ Social Alternatives 24 (4), 19–24. PA.

Woods.

93.

Symes

& McIntyre

(2000). Working knowledge: The new Vocationalism and higher education. PA.

Open University Press

94.

Tolkien

J. R. R.

(1975). On fairy stories. Tree and Leaf (pp. 11–70). London. Allen and Unwin.

95.

Turner

(2008). ‘Progress requires more than words.’ Australian, retrieved 7.3.2011 from http://www.Theaustralian.news.com.

96.

TASDET (2006a). Essentials learning: Being literate support materials. Tasmanian Department of Education. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/yrsltolO/kla/english/docs/qsa_quarterly.pdf

97.

TASDET. (2006b). Being literate: Teaming teaching and assessing at progression level. Tasmanian Department of Education. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://www.ltag.education.tas.gov.au/focus/beingliterate/LTAatproglevel.pdf;

98.

Turner

(2007). ‘Cultural literacies, critical literacies and the English school curriculum in Australia.’ International Journal of Cultural Studies, 10:1, 105–114

99.

Van Brummelan

(1998). Walking with God in the classroom: Christian approaches to learning and teaching. Seattle WA. Alta Vista College Press.

100.

Van Brummelan

(2002). Stepping stones to curriculum: A biblical path. Colorado Springs, CO.: Purposeful Design Publications.

101.

VDE. (2005). Essential learning standards. Discipline based learning strand: English. Victoria: Department of Education. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/dowinloads/vels_standards/velsrevisedenglish.pdf;

102.

Volf

(1998). After our likeness: The church as the image of the trinity. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans.

103.

WADET. (1998). English learning area statement. Western Australia: Department of Education and Training: Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://wiwiwi.curriculum.wia.edu.au/files/pdf/english.pdf

104.

WADET (2005). English curriculum framework curriculum guide. Western Australia: Department of Education and Training. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://www.curriculum.wia.edu.au/pages/curric_guides/files/english/1450-cg-english3.pdf

105.

WNCP Canada. (1998). Western and Northern Canadian Provinces common curriculum framework for English language arts. WNCP. Retrieved on 25.7.2007 from http://www.wincp.ca/

106.

Wallis

(2005). God's politics. San Francisco.

Harper

107.

Wright

(1992). The New Testament and the people of God. London.

Fortress Press

108.

Yoder

(1972). The politics of Jesus. Grand Rapids MI.

Eerdmans

The Retreat from Critical Literacy in the New Australian English Curriculum

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References