In the preface of his book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know, E.D. Hirsch talks about various theories about education and how those theories no longer fit with today’s society. Hirsch opens his preface explaining how cultural education is important in order to be successful. According to Hirsch, the educational system has failed to help expand cultural literature due to the corrupt curriculums based on faulty educational theories. Hirsch takes a pause to mention how his ideas have been endorsed and to explain to readers a concept in which liberals are fighting against. Liberals believe Hirsch is trying to force kids to read certain books. But, that is not the case. Hirsch believes that cultural literacy can be represented by a descriptive list of information that should be passed onto children. Further on, Hirsch explains Rousseau’s Educational Theory about not forcing adult ideas onto kids until they are naturally ready. Another philosopher, John Dewey, also affects modern American educational theory. According to Hirsch, he states that Dewey trusted kids way to learn on their own way too much believing that children only need the general experiences to obtain efficient skills. Later on, Hirsch talks about Plato who believed specific content is the most important part of education. Hirsch praises Plato for acknowledging so, but Plato assumed philosophy would be the best way to pass on cultural literacy. Hirsch disagrees with Rousseau and Dewey about adult culture being “unnatural” for kids since it is important for them to learn early on. Hirsch talks about the anthropological view which stresses about the importance of effective communication with others in the community which begins with the sharing of that specific information to kids.
What motivates Provenzo as a writer?
He is a professor who believes education is a phenomena as opposed to Hirsch who believes there needs to be a new national curriculum
What does he want readers to think about?
Hirsch's idea of a different curriculum being possible to establish and if it is logical
Who is Provenzo's main audeince?
People interested in Hirsch's idea
What is Provenzo's main point?
Hirsch saying there is no national curriculum is not meant to say there is none, but to establish one that reflects what he believes about culture and ideology
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