I was proposing specifically that we incorporate language and culture courses of a more practical nature that students could use as viable and marketable professional skills to position themselves for success in the global job market.Ĭonsider the difference between these two scenarios: Scenario #1: The suggestion was tantamount to treason in a department where the senior professors were literary scholars. My colleagues who were literature experts hissed at me.
I remember sitting in a department meeting 15 years ago asking if we could incorporate courses in foreign languages for business and commerce? I agree that there is immense value in learning literature and culture, but the reality is that it won’t get you a job - unless you want to become a literature professor.Įmployers looks at people with literature degrees and ask themselves, “What can you do for us?” A full list of the cut programs can be found here.įor years I’ve said to my colleagues that languages programs that focus mainly on literature and culture are doomed. Included in the cuts are undergraduate major programs in classic languages, Italian, Russian and Ukrainian.
Languages and culture programs are taking the brunt of the cuts.
One of Canada’s most reputable institutions of higher learning, the University of Alberta, announced today that it is cutting 20 arts programs. Warning: This post may offend literary scholars and literary theorists.
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