The Perceptions of Preservice English Education Candidates on Censorship of Literature

Abstract

“The Perceptions of Preservice English Education Candidates on Censorship of Literature” is a pilot study that explores the thoughts, fears, and hopes of preservice English Education candidates regarding censorship of literature, both as a whole and within their future classrooms. Surveys and in-person interviews were conducted with seven preservice English Education candidates and explored questions surrounding the motivations for book banning, how to approach difficult topics, alternative readings, the pros and cons of incorporating contemporary works, student engagement, among other topics. Discourse analysis revealed that concerns about censorship place significant pressure on secondary English teachers to be. Other takeaways included teacher candidates’ worries that they are inheriting a fossilized canon of literature. With the volume and quality of contemporary literature expanding quickly, preservice teachers provide their thoughts on how the canon could be revised to enhance literary and student engagement.