Approaches [antikvár]

A Note to the Teacher This anthology is intended primarily for use in English and Social Studies at Colleges of Further Education. It has two related aims: to promote discussion on social topics and to develop the student's critical discerameut with writing of all kinds. The book is divided into sections under theme-headings. So far as Social Studies is concerned, the study of topics takes precedence over the study of the writing, but an examination of the extracts for the sake of their social relevance must inevitably involve many of the disciplines associated with literary criticism: assessment of the tone and tendency of the language, interpretation of crucial words and phrases, analysis of the structure and implications of the argument. I have not attempted to provide facts or statistics about society. Obviously there is an important place in English and Social Studies for these. They provide a necessary link with reality, and they may help to justify or refute somé of the attitudes displayed by writers. But the chief concera has been to offer somé extracts which will give an opportunity for that kind of discussion which facts and statistics do not necessarily instigate or dispose of. Because comparison is often useful, I have included somé mediocre and inferior work as well as somé of recognized value. Finally, as the book seeks to avoid advocating a level of instruction it alsó seeks to avoid suggesting a strict plan. The direction that a class takes from a particular passage obviously depends on the class and on the teacher. The questions at the end of each section are intended to be no more than brief guides; they are clearly not exhaustive and are not intended to be. I should particularly like to thank Paul Clark for his great help; alsó Keith Harrison for his advice and interest; John Beale and Jim Daly for their assistance at the beginning, particularly with the section on War; Sally Dániel and Barbara Ayerst for typing the manuscript; my wife who suggested somé of the extracts; and the students of Kingsway College for Further Education and Barnet College of Further Education. 9