The Genealogy of ‘Cultural Literacy’

The British government's current educational policy for England draws on E.D. Hirsch's writings 'cultural literacy'. This paper aims to uncover the roots of Hirsch’s influential views through a genealogical critique. Hirsch admired Scottish Enlightenment educator Hugh Blair as model architect hegemonic culture unite disparate members nation. Following Hirsch, government Department Education in called ‘shared appreciation cultural reference points’ and ‘a common stock knowledge which all can draw trade’. Consequently, literature curriculum increasingly disenfranchises significant component population terms both gender heritage. Recent ‘culture wars’ have highlighted legacy colonialism led educators decolonise prioritise social justice. Continuing racism within civil society demonstrates need general recognition that cultures are desirably diverse internally plural.