Originally published in 1983. This book points to the necessity of a curriculum theory for adult and continuing education through discussion of both curriculum studies and the principles of adult education. The various ways in which systems of adult education are developing are reviewed, in social, political and cultural terms.

Colin Griffin is a Visiting Senior Fellow in the Department of Political, International and Policy Studies, having been for many years in the Department of Educational Studies.

Editor's Introduction 1. Developments in Curriculum Theory 2. Adult Education Theory and the Curriculum 3. An Ideology of Needs, Access and Provision 4. Adult Education and Social Policy 5. Agents of Provision and Agencies of Curriculum Development 6. The Lifelong Curriculum 7. Gelpi's View of Lifelong Education 8. Conclusion: Elements of Adult and Lifelong Curriculum Theory