Presents an exchange between two English professors who offer opposing perspectives on the profession of English. Covers arguments on the understanding of theory, literary history, reading, curricular design, and pedagogy through the examination of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil." (MM)

Outlines three ways that literary theory has been brought into the English classroom over the past decade. Describes in detail the innovative model for curricular change used by the English department at Carnegie Mellon University in the 1980s. (HB)

Argues that (1) even the most radical critics of departmental structures are committed to the perpetuation of English departments and, therefore, will adopt, regardless of potential contradictions, the professional discourse that validates them and (2) that this will be done even though the Babel of contemporary critical discourse makes a…

Reviews the literary forms and trends of Chicano literature. Discusses the growing critical canon accompanying the development of this literature, and describes pedagogical approaches to courses and curriculum planning in this area. (SR)

Identifies the ideas of the good that organize the professional lives of English college faculty. Discusses how these ideas should help faculty to constitute their departments, colleagues, and students. Applies insights from Aristotle's "Rhetoric" to departmental discussions. (HB)

Examines the typical curriculum in an English department and the place of literary and critical theory within it. (SRT)

Responds to Richard Ekman's criticism of poststructuralism and discusses three strands of a poststructuralist English curriculum. (EL)