Goals of teaching literature: Literacy, liberalism and global citizenship

Abstract

This paper is based on the premise that teaching of literature acts as a remedy for widespread cross-cultural misunderstandings, prejudice and global ignorance. It can also be exploited for multicultural understanding and progressive global responsibility. Moreover, the paper also studies how far the teaching of literature contributes to socialize students into Literacy, Liberalism, and Global Citizenship transmitting particular worldviews and instilling in them knowledge, and obedience to cultural beliefs and practices through educational practices. The study measures how far the teaching of literature could be utilized for instilling the elements of Literacy, Liberalism, and Global Citizenship among the graduates. By making use of a multiple linear regression model with SPSS 25 on a sample size of 100 respondents comprising ethnically diverse teachers of literature from the regions in Asmara, Eriteria, the study analyzed coefficients and accuracy levels in order to determine the influence of teaching of literature (predictor) on Literacy, Liberalism, and Global Citizenship (dependent variables). Results revealed a partial but significant influence of predictor on dependent variables without much diversion. It is recommended that the volatility in the relationship between the predictor and dependent variables should be addressed in future research.