Western canon

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/western-canon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary domains?Encompasses literature, music, philosophy, and visual arts originating from Western societies
2. What is the influence on education?Remains a significant, though debated, foundation for academic curricula and cultural studies
3. Why is the Western canon not a fixed list?It is not a fixed list because people keep talking about which works belong and why. New ideas and new voices can change the list over time.
4. Who usually gets included in the Western canon?Traditionally, the canon has mainly included works by white, male authors and artists from Europe and America. This has led to criticism that it left out many other voices.

High Culture: Artistic and intellectual achievements widely regarded as sophisticated and of superior quality within a society.
Aesthetic Values: Principles and judgments concerning beauty, taste, and the appreciation of art and sensory experiences.
Critical Theory: An interdisciplinary approach that analyzes and critiques culture, society, and power structures, often questioning established norms.
Postmodernism: A philosophical and cultural movement questioning grand narratives, emphasizing subjectivity, and challenging traditional distinctions.