English In Practice

What is English? Peter Barry's book examines the practice of studying English, and the theory underlying that practice. He indicates how almost everything but the name of the discipline has changed during its short lifetime. He explores the core activities involved in "doing" English today, and looks well beyond the close reading of texts. He guides the reader through some of the most contested issues in the subject and surveys areas that have newly come under the banner of "English."

Peter Barry has taught English at every level - in primary and secondary schools, in further and higher education colleges, and at universities. He was at the former LSU College, Southampton, from 1980 to 1995, and moved in that year to his present post at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He has been co-editor of English (the journal of the English association) since 1988, and reviews and poetry editor since 1995, and he is also an advisory member of the executive of the association. His previous books include Contemporary British Poetry and the City (Manchester University Press, 2000), and the academic best-seller Beginning Theory (2nd edition Manchester University Press, 2002). He also co-edits the Beginnings series for MUP.