Explores the relationship and transaction between a reader and literature. Discusses the implications of this relationship on literature text choice and curriculum, as well as the feasibility of heuristics in a curriculum. (HTH)

Addresses the evolution of the most authoritative and widely used textbook in world literature courses in the United States, "The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces." Questions if the "Norton Anthology" has provided educators who are committed to the teaching of world literature from non-Eurocentric perspectives with a…

Reports, from personal textbook publishing experience, that composition teachers do not want the results of research in their textbooks; they want what's familiar to them. (JL)

Discussing the structural and philosophic changes in higher education, the author feels that because of its academic purity, poetry may help to bring about a new humanism." (Author/MB)

Notes the problems with obtaining literature texts to teach in basic writing courses and the fact that there is very little information on the subject. Offers a discussion of the texts and other information the author has found and concludes that there may be more support for such literature-based programs in the future. (JC)