摘 要

在中国大学英语专业课程中，教材作为知识传递的主要载体，扮演着至关重要的角色。目前，针对中国大学本科英语专业学生的英美文学教材数量和种类日趋丰富，但专门针对英美文学教材的研究却寥寥无几。毫无疑问，教材的质量高低与否对学习效果起着十分重要的作用。因此，研究这些教材是否真正适合学习者使用，符合教学要求，非常具有现实意义。本文以乔·麦克多诺与克里斯托弗·肖（Jo McDonough and Christopher Shaw）的教材评估理论为基础，对《美国文学欣赏》和《英国文学选读》这两本经典教材进行系统性的评估，通过评估分析得出两本教材的优势及存在的问题，结合问题提出可行的解决方法，并为未来英美文学教材编写提出建议。本文主要分为三个部分：第一部分回顾了国内外经典教材评估理论和重要研究；第二部分根据乔·麦克多诺与克里斯托弗·肖的教材评估模型对两本教材进行系统性的评估；第三部分通过分析结果得出结论，对英美文学教材更新和改进提出详细建议，最后希望能为今后教材发展提供帮助。

关键词：教材评估；大学英语专业；英美文学教材

Abstract

In Chinese college English course, textbooks play a vital role as the main carrier of knowledge transmission. At present, the quantity and variety of British and American literature textbooks for college English majors in China are booming, however, there have been little research specifically focusing on those textbooks. Undoubtedly, the quality of the textbooks plays a very important role in the learning effect. Therefore, it is a sensible idea to investigate whether these materials are suitable for learners to use and can meet the teaching requirements. Based on McDonough and Shaw's (2013) textbook evaluation theory, this paper evaluated two classic textbooks, Selected Readings in British Literature and Appreciating American Literature. The analysis drew the merits and problems of the two textbooks, proposed feasible solutions to the problems, and made recommendations for the compilation of future British and American literature textbooks. This thesis is mainly divided into three parts: the first part reviewed domestic and foreign classic evaluation theories and important research; the second part evaluated the two target textbooks on the basis of McDonough and Shaw’s (2013) textbook evaluation model; and the third part drew conclusions from the analysis results, and put forward some detailed suggestions for improving British and American literature textbooks, finally hoped to help the development of textbooks in the future.

Key Words: textbook evaluation; college English majors; British and American literature textbooks

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Literature Review 4

2.1 Previous studies on textbook evaluation 4

2.1.1 Previous studies on textbook evaluation abroad 4

2.1.2 Previous studies on textbook evaluation at home 8

2.2 Previous studies on college American and British literature textbooks for English majors in China 10

3 Research Methods 13

3.1 Research questions 13

3.2 The textbooks 13

3.3 Evaluation criteria 21

3.4 Research procedure 22

4 Results 24

4.1 External evaluation 24

4.2 Internal evaluation 27

4.3 Overall evaluation 29

5 Discussion 32

5.1 Summary of major results 32

5.2 Strengths and problems of two textbooks 33

5.2.1 Major strengths 33

5.2.2 Existing problems 33

5.2.2.1 Monotonous mode of compilation 33

5.2.2.2 The lack of inclusion of literary theory 34

5.2.2.3 Cover design, catalogue and appendix 34