Judging from the frequency of this topic, one would have to assume that a hot topic not only in the educational world, but in our own English 311 Section A is censorship in literature. Why is the topic so hot? Well, for starters, because it is debatable. Anything that allows people to square off and pick loyalties generally sparks an interest. But why else? I think it is interesting because it is another instance of hypocrisy.
Today, the push in America is not for conformity, but for standing out and being an individual, the freedom of expression. Even in schools, educators encourage making your own choices and not following the crowd. Be your own person. Make your own decisions. Well, let’s not get too crazy. It isn’t realistic to let you choose what books to read. If a student is not allowed to form their own opinion on a book that they read, whether it is true, ethical, or morally right than what choices are we actually giving? Apparently we feel that students do not have the capability of deciding if witches are real, or whether of not to use profanity is any situation. Shouldn’t they get the freedom to decide and form an opinion?
I am not a liberal or radical. I would like to think I am realistic. Students are faced with so many choices. There are numerous places that students are subject to violence and profanity. I am interested in how big of an influence books from English have to the decisions students make. I am choosing this topic because there is a plethora of information, and it is interesting. Everyone has an opinion, and they will not match up, but that is what makes good discussion. I hope to find different justifications for certain bans, whether or not there are common bans, and what the majority thinks about the topic.
As far as news feeds go I am looking at educational articles from BBC, NPR, CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. There are plenty of blogs about this topic, and I plan on using many different posts. I have not chosen any one particular feed that I find better than the rest.
Since blogging is new to me, I am excited to learn more about the technological process, while learning about my topic. I think this will be an incredibily beneficial experience for me, and I am thrilled to get started.
I believe you are right on the money. Teachers should be given the choice of what kind of literature they wish to expose their students to. But don’t you think that the censorship issue might also stem from fear? Fear of having to explain tough, senitive topics. Fear of losing control of your son or daughter. Fear of admitting that some of the issues addressed in these controversial books really do exist. I think that you have a great topic and I am looking forward to following your research to see where this level of censorship takes you.
Thanks,
Ann
Candace,
Nice work so far. Your blog is visually appealing and contains the required components–except for a class blogroll for both courses.
Your topic for 311 looks good. It should definitely yield a wealth of articles and enrich our eventual class discussion of censorship.
I think I agree with you for the most part. Teachers should be allowed to pick their own literature provided it fits into the context of the curriculum. I recall a literature class I had in high school and because I went to a private high school the curriculum was a little more flexible than those in public schools. Anyway, the point is, the teacher though he did teach from the book and from the classics also included some really out-there pieces. Eventually, he was told to move on by the administration to the dismay of many students-I was not one of them. That year was one of the worst years of English I had in high school. I think there needs to be moderation on what is read in schools. Teachers should be “on the up” regarding what literature is new and popular and also what classics to teach as well. Administration needs to see that if the teacher can prove valid reasons for reading that book/story/article or whatever, then it should be allowed. Teachers need to be reminded though in those situations not to run away with the freedom but to use it wisely. Censorship was meant to protect the students but now it is limiting the students. It is up to teachers to prove that and to take steps toward simply teaching ideas and stories that help students grow academically and as people. It is a fine line between too much and not enough, but there is a way to find it and keep on it.
[...] commented on Candace’s blog entry titled: Freedom of What? on Jan. 24th, 2007 [...]