Hmm. - Edit 1
Before modification by jh at 05/02/2010 09:15:38 PM
1. Are there any books that should ever be censored? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are censored and for whom?
Not really. I suppose there might be some hypothetical case where censorship might be preferred, but I can't see any which I agree with just at the moment.
2. Should any books be withheld from libraries in high schools? If so, why? If so, which ones? Who should decide what books are withheld?
Perhaps. Schools have a duty to promote current societal values - at least here, and if certain books require a measure of formal training to make their role fit in the scheme required, I could say that it is not books which should be available in school - however, they should be available outside the school grounds. But a school has a mission; it should be allowed to restrict information contrary to that mission while on the grounds...
3. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think have had a massive impact on the world, and at least one that is frequently overlooked on lists of that sort.
The Origin of the Species
The Wealth of Nations
Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Das Kapital
... and I am drawing a blank at the moment. But you could make the argument that each of the above has influenced the world quite a lot.
4. Do you think any of the books you listed in point 3 should be read in schools as mandatory reading? Why or why not?
Perhaps not in its entirety, and certainly not principia, but the concepts should be familiar to students... I think there are better ways of expressing what was said in each of those books, given their historical nature, and a modern day perspective is likely more useful in treating with all of them.
5. Name five books (aside from religious works) that you think SHOULD be mandatory reading in schools (or at least "on the curriculum" if you don't like the word "mandatory"), and why.
No. I think this question is asking for a literary canon rather than books which impacted the world - those books are in general rather dull and/or highly specific and/or just plain wrong, which does not suit the purpose of a school to teach a wide variety of subjects in a non-academic fashion. In order to get the most from books which treat serious topics, you need training beyond what is possible in high school to attain. You'd be a lot better off from a teaching point of view if you could get the information across in some fashion where the original text is not the prime focus for reading. A literary canon is highly subjective, though, and I won't really touch that...
6. Do you think schools are too careful in choosing books due to pressure from those who would censor the curriculum? If so, which sorts of books do you feel are unjustly censored?
Nope, I do not. I have a feeling this might be a larger problem over in the USA, or in this case Germany where they are a bit sensitive about this whole killing six million jews thing.
7. Do you think schools place too much emphasis on particular themes or ideas when choosing their curriculum? If so, which ones?
Well, at least here, there is a bit much regulated in law which need not be... such as the promotion of a democratic society, and turning the students into well informed citizens. Too much of an emphasis on the community - which of course has its explanation in the fact that it would be self destructive not to impose a certain amount of conservatism on the next generations, but also is hampering to progress.
8. Are there any authors you would remove from school curricula who are presently well-represented? Why?
Heh, only boring ones.
9. Are there any authors not represented that you would like to see added generally? Why?
Nope. A general rule would be that to limit a school's teaching by requiring a certain reading material is not a good way to go - general themes perhaps, local authors, sure, but not specific authors.
10. Is there ONE book (aside from religious works) that you think EVERYONE should read? If so, what book and why?
The count of monte cristo. To annoy you.
Honestly, though, there are a lot of books which I feel is the basis for a good cultural understanding, but if people don't have the same goals as me with their reading, I will not be arrogant enough to say that some things are for everyone.