By A.S.
The Western world has witnessed a growing purge caused by political correctness throughout its institutions and especially in the universities and places of education in the last years and decades. One of such recent cases of erasure of European history, heritage, and culture is a “decolonization” of the curriculum in the United Kingdom´s University of Leicester.
The University of Leicester plans to remove the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer, and according to the media reports, the administration stated that “The Canterbury Tales” and “Beowulf”, as well as other medieval literature, wouldn´t be taught anymore. As the administration stated, “A chronological literary history, a selection of modules on race, ethnicity, sexuality and diversity, a decolonized curriculum, and new employability modules” will take place of classic English literature.
The English department at the university was notified that all the canonical classics will be removed with this new model, which is supposedly more in line with the students’ expectations. All works older than 500 years will be completely removed from the syllabus.
“We are currently considering some proposed changes to our English program and are consulting with staff as part of these discussions. We are committed to the future sustainability of teaching English, and we will continue to work with our staff and our students to deliver this,” said a university spokesperson during an interview.