As I conducted research for my final presentation, I learned how new the study of literature is to modern education, and how quickly it is being forced out due to our capitalistic society. When the study of English literature began in the nineteenth century, it was not well-respected. However, it developed an identity as a field of study, and clearly educators recognized the value of studying language, literary conventions, and methods of storytelling.
Since then, literary studies have depreciated in educational value. Today, liberal arts educations are discouraged in favor of more “practical” educations and professional degrees. In 2013 Florida State attempted to hike up tuition for those seeking liberal arts degrees under the fallacy that they offered less financial return for the state compared to fields like business. Although I have only known of Florida State to have taken such action, liberal arts holds this same reputation just about everywhere.
It is really unfortunate that students are being pushed away from studying such a versatile subject. Unlike other fields, literary studies provides a set of transferable skills that is not limiting to a particular profession. Instead, it teaches you how to think, how to analyze, to write, to speak, to be empathetic, to see what is and isn’t there by reading between the lines, to consider the author’s words and the historical context that might have influenced them–and what employer isn’t looking for such avid thinkers? By studying literature, you become acquainted with a variety of subjects, not just with books. I hope that someday soon, the appreciation for literature and all it has to offer makes a return in education. We could really use some revolutionary thinkers.
