“Hirsch's desire for a National Curriculum”: Rhetorical Analysis
In the excerpt “Hirsch's desire for a National Curriculum”, American scientist and educator Eugene F. Provenzo (Provenzo, 39-42) analyzes the plan of American national curriculum proposed by Eric Donald Hirsch. Arguing that the plan is an assault on the educational system, Provenzo addresses the broad audience aiming to contribute into a discussion on the issue.
Provenzo does not support Hirsch’ plan of national curriculum in the United States as he claims that national curriculum already exists de facto if not de jure. The author, who is opposes Hirsch’s views on education, is largely motivated by the desire to attract attention to and show the drawbacks of Hirsch’s plan and thus make a contribution into the discussion on this plan. Provenzo’s main point is that since most American schools use mostly similar curricula, the primary goal pursued by Hirsch is not the desire to improve the educational process in the U.S. Provenzo argues that it is rather an attempt to promote Hirsch’s own ideological views, “establish a curriculum that reflects his cultural and ideological orientation” (41).
Analyzing the plan proposed by Hirsch, Provenzo wants the reader to think not only about the issue of a united national curriculum in American schools but also about the broader problem. The author defines this issue as “a major battle in the culture wars of the last twenty years” (41), which consists of numerous episodes, with ideological “assaults” on school curricula being only one of them. The language used by Provenzo in this text, especially the last paragraph, shows that it is not a scholarly one but rather a persuasive essay. It addresses the broad audience of educators, parents and ordinary Americans, who, Provenzo believes must be worried with ideological attacks on American education.
Therefore, the analysis of the excerpt shows that Provenzo argues against the plan of a national curriculum proposed by Hirsch as the author claims that the plan is an ideological attack on school curricula, as well as aims to promote a broader discussion on the issue.
Works Cited
Provenzo, Eugene F. "Hirsch's Desire for a National Curriculum". From Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Text and Reader, Stuart Greene and April Lidinsky, Bedford/St. Martin's, Boston, 2011, pp. …
