Abstract
This essay responds to William J. Bennett’s To Reclaim a Legacy, offering a balanced perspective on the report’s critique of the humanities and its relevance to theatre education. The author acknowledges the value of reaffirming the study of Western civilization and the great books but contends that Bennett’s vision is incomplete without a more inclusive, pragmatic, and pedagogically dynamic approach. The argument emphasizes that higher education in a democratic society must balance excellence with accessibility, teaching the humanities as living, applicable knowledge rather than static tradition. Using theatre as a model discipline, the essay illustrates how creative interpretation, performance, and critical engagement can animate classical works and connect them to contemporary social contexts. It warns against reducing education to either vocational training or abstract scholarship and advocates instead for curricula that integrate humanistic breadth with professional skill. The essay concludes by urging humanities educators to reclaim their role as central contributors to civic and intellectual life through innovative teaching, responsible scholarship, and the recognition of creative practice as a legitimate form of inquiry.
Recommended Citation
White, Allen S.
(1986)
"The Wisdom of Reclaiming a Legacy,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 57, Article 13.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol57/iss1/13
