Jane Austen replaced in literature course with American author Toni Morrison for “decolonization” of the curriculum

According to reports, one of the oldest authors in English literature has changed his course to the University of Scotland’s Literature course to “decolonize” the curriculum. The Telegraph reports that Jane Austen will be replaced by Toni Morrison in the University of Stirling’s English unit.

Austin (1787-1817) is known for classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensitivity, and has been the subject of many adaptations in television and films. Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was an American writer who received the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Literature for his “favorite” novel and the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Before Austin wrote the Regent about life in England, Morrison was best known for his novels of the African American experience, which also included Song of Solomon and the Blue Eye. The Telegraph said University of Stirling papers say Morrison’s introduction will help “decolonize the curriculum”.

The paper further states that replacing Austin with Morrison “will also help increase the diversity of the program,” in the form of a notification to manage changes to course materials.

The paper states that students will cover topics such as racial difference, critical theory of race, gender, and gender. and the African American novel.

The Telegraph reported that Stirling’s Department of English and Literature has not criticized Austin, and the university said its authors unit changes focus each year.

The University of Stirling said its special course for rotating authors “aims to introduce students to a diverse range of writers, including global voices and representatives of British literary history.”

In early 2020, after the Black Lives Matter protests, University of Stirling professor Gary McCormack said the university should “support the anti-racism agenda in higher education”.