Incorporating Critical Thinking and Literary Theory Into The Curriculum
Incorporating critical thinking and literary theory into the curriculum can significantly enrich the
educational experience and foster a deeper understanding of literature. Here's a more detailed approach
with references to specific critical thinking strategies and literary theories:
1. Curriculum Alignment:
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Begin by aligning your curriculum with the goals of developing critical thinking and
understanding of literary theory. This can involve revising existing courses or creating
new ones.
2. Bloom's Taxonomy:
•
Utilize Bloom's Taxonomy as a framework for setting clear learning objectives that
encompass critical thinking skills.
Reference: Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning,
teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives.
3. Socratic Seminars:
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Implement Socratic seminars as a teaching strategy to promote critical thinking through
open-ended questions and dialogues.
Reference: Tredway, L. P. (2005). Socratic seminars: Engaging students in intellectual
discourse. The Clearing House, 78(5), 218-223.
4. Close Reading:
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Introduce close reading techniques that encourage students to analyze text at a deep
level.
Reference: Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2012). Text complexity. In Diane Lapp & Douglas Fisher
(Eds.), Text complexity: Raising rigor in reading (pp. 3-16).
5. Literary Theories:
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Provide an overview of various literary theories like feminism, Marxism, and
postcolonialism.
Reference: Eagleton, T. (2008). Literary theory: An introduction (2nd ed.).
6. Application of Theories:
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Encourage students to apply these theories to literary texts, exploring how different
perspectives can yield unique interpretations.
Reference: Tyson, L. (2015). Critical theory today: A user-friendly guide (3rd ed.).
7. Multicultural Literature:
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Include multicultural and diverse literature in the curriculum to facilitate discussions on
representation and identity.
Reference: Norton, D. E. (2013). Multicultural children's literature: Through the eyes of
many children (4th ed.).
8. Writing Assignments:
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Assign essays and research papers that require students to analyze texts using literary
theories. Provide feedback using writing rubrics.
Reference: Bean, J. C. (2011). Engaging ideas: The professor's guide to integrating
writing, critical thinking, and active learning in the classroom (2nd ed.).
9. Peer Review:
•
Incorporate peer review sessions to encourage students to critically evaluate each
other's analyses and arguments.
Reference: Nilson, L. B. (2015). Specifications grading: Restoring rigor, motivating
students, and saving faculty time.
10. Guest Speakers:
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Invite guest speakers who specialize in specific literary theories or authors to provide
real-world insights and perspectives.
Reference: Chapman, A., & Sawin, M. (2018). Inviting the world into your classroom:
Guest speakers and cultural studies. College Teaching, 66(4), 184-192.
11. Reflective Journals:
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Ask students to maintain reflective journals to document their evolving understanding of
literary theory and critical thinking skills.
Reference: Moon, J. A. (2006). Learning journals: A handbook for reflective practice and
professional development (2nd ed.).
12. Assessment Portfolios:
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Consider using assessment portfolios to compile students' best work, demonstrating
their growth in critical thinking and application of literary theory.
Reference: Cambridge, D. (2019). Portfolios, reflection, and teacher development. ELT
Journal, 73(4), 366-374.
13. Interdisciplinary Connections:
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Explore interdisciplinary connections between literature and other subjects to provide a
broader context for critical analysis.
Reference: McComas, W. F. (2002). The nature of science in science education: An
introduction. Science & Education, 11(2), 115-130.
14. Professional Development:
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Stay informed about the latest developments in critical thinking pedagogy and literary
theory by attending workshops and conferences.
Reference: Palincsar, A. S. (1998). Social constructivist perspectives on teaching and
learning. Annual Review of Psychology, 49(1), 345-375.
Incorporating critical thinking and literary theory into the curriculum with reference to
established educational strategies and theories can enhance the quality of education and provide
students with valuable skills for analyzing literature and the world around them.