Fewer opportunities to study humanities and arts will mean fewer working-class writers and artists, the author of BBC drama Sherwood has warned.
James Graham commented on this after Sheffield Hallam University’s decision to suspend teaching English literature as a degree.
He blamed a “huge reduction” in time devoted to the arts in state schools, which meant fewer course enrollments.
The university said English literature would become part of a broader curriculum.
The current course would continue for this academic year but would be suspended from September 2023, a Sheffield Hallam spokesman said.
The move is linked to demand for the course and enrollment numbers, and is part of a “small number of courses that are being suspended or closed,” they added.
The university announced that there would be no job losses as a result of the move.
A Sheffield Hallam spokesman said: “As a large comprehensive university offering more than 600 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, we constantly review our course portfolio to ensure it reflects the latest needs of students and employers.”
The university warned against confusing the changes to its English literature degree program with a broader debate about government funding.
Mr Graham said it was important to discuss the opportunities available to young people from diverse backgrounds in the arts and humanities.
“In mainstream state schools, we have seen a tremendous reduction in instruction time, funding and emphasis on drama, arts and music,” he said.
“What you are seeing is a huge reduction in school performances and orchestras. So when these young people reach the age where they can apply for college education, they have been told for many years that these subjects have less value. I fundamentally disagree.”
Meanwhile, Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, said Sheffield Hallam’s decision was “as shocking as it is depressing,” adding that it “appears to be part of a broader agenda set by the government for universities to target the arts and humanities.” being forced”.
dr Grady warned that the Sheffield Hallam decision and similar moves in Huddersfield and Wolverhampton were “hugely damaging to access”.
“The universities most at risk are those with higher numbers of less affluent students, and it is unscrupulous to deny them the opportunity to study subjects such as literature, art, theater and music,” she added.
Mr Graham, who studied drama at the University of Hull, said: “Of course you don’t need a degree to be an artist, but personally, coming from a more working class background, I needed the encouragement and support of my university degree to become a playwright will.”
The Department of Education has been asked to respond to Mr Graham’s comments.
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