Hirsch's Theory Of Cultural Literacy

The phrase Cultural Literacy has different meaning to different people. For E.D Hirsch, the man who coined that term, it is the fundamental knowledge one must possess in order to actively participate in the society. Hirsch mooted this term in the wake of the fact that the literacy rates of American societies was dwindling compared to other modern societies in the developed world. Hirsch stressed on the need to foster cultural literacy because he sees it as the foundation that can bolster all other fundamental improvements in American education. However, this theory has not gone unchallenged by other prominent scholars whose ideology with regard to this will be discussed later.

Hirsch, along with antagonists of his theory, Donaldo Macedo …show more content…
A childs cognitive ability is most mature in its early stage, that is,in its initial years of schooling. If children are not made familiar on shared knowledge on subjects like American history, they wont be mindful to learn it later on in their lives. Hirsch admonishes the proliferation of cafeteria-style education meaning, a system of education where students enjoy the luxury of choosing their desired subjects. Hirsch laments this system arguing it diminishes commonly shared information among generations which further augments the problem of generation gap. Not only among generations, lack of common knowledge will stymie peer to peer interactions. Cafeteria-style education, coupled with the reluctance of our schools to place demands on students will prolong cultural fragmentation. One thing to mind here is that, cultural literacy does not call for an expert level of information on basic subjects like history or philosophy, what it calls for is a considerate (above basic, below expert) level of information so that individuals can communicate effectively. Immigrants to America who seek citizenship must have some knowledge on America 's history, its presidents, its values, its composition (religion,ethnicity,culture,language). If not, they will be citizens in name only. Cultural literacy provides a common ground for all American people, regardless of …show more content…
He denigrates cultural literacy saying it undervalues other cultures and traditions. Cultural literacy promotes western cultural values in the expense of others. He goes on to say educational institutions, particularly schools, plays a pivotal role in the reproduction of dominant ideology through lies and myths that deform reality. Macedo brazenly undermines the need for "common culture" in our multiracial society. He accuses Hirsch of trying to conceal the truth on how Westerners committed savage acts against other cultural groups in the name of "civilizing" others. Schools are institutions of indoctrination which prohibits the chance of independent thought which, as a result, promotes dominant ideology. Far from teaching students the "critical tools" to understand the realities of the world, schools are increasingly spoon-feeding the values of the ruling class. Schools teach students the "processed" facts and figures of history and deprive them of the "real", unbiased and unequivocal events and happenings. This was because of discriminatory policies that mum the voices of underprivileged groups in