Routledge Doing English: A Guide for Literature Students (Doing... Series)

Doing English presents the ideas and debates that shape how we ‘do’ English today, explaining arguments about the value of literature, the canon, Shakespeare, theory, politics and the subject itself. In his lucid and engaging style, Robert Eaglestone: orients students by encouraging them to think about what they are doing when they study literature; bridges the gap between English at A-level and International Baccalaureate to English in Higher Education by exploring traditional and theoretical approaches to literature and explaining key ideas and trends; explains to students why English, more than any other subject, is the cause of public debate and concern in the media and amongst politicians and educators. This popular and classic guide has been fully updated throughout to take account of recent research, educational changes and current events, and it now includes a chapter called ‘Why Study English?’ – showing how and why the skills taught by English are transferable to a range of careers. This immensely readable book is the ideal introduction to studying English Literature. Review 'This new edition of Doing English is stunningly good. It manages the tough feat of bettering the earlier editions, which were themselves an invaluable introduction to literary study. The introduction of new material not only updates but also adds new lines of thought and addresses fresh issues at the heart of the subject. Always written in admirably clear prose, it never oversimplifies, opening up the nature of the discipline, its practices and debates, for those engaging with it for the first time.' Barbara Bleiman, Education Consultant and Co-Editor of emagazine, the English and Media Centre About the Author Robert Eaglestone is Professor of Contemporary Literature and Thought at Royal Holloway, University of London. He is widely published and has advised a range of government bodies and exam boards. In 2014, he won a HEA National Teaching Fellowship.