[NIFL-AALPD:1905] FW: political cartoons

From: Bryan A. Wilson (bryan_a_wilson@bellsouth.net)
Date: Fri Jan 14 2005 - 00:26:28 EST


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From: "Bryan A. Wilson" <bryan_a_wilson@bellsouth.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-aalpd@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1905] FW: political cartoons
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Jackie, et. al.,

	I hate to be naïve or overly presumptuous here, but doesn't
understanding PARTICULAR pieces of satire and/or PARTICULAR pieces of parody
necessitate at least the historical, social, political, and economic context
of the persons or situations depicted in the cartoon?

	Therefore, if we are looking to facilitate the understanding of the
parody and satire conveyed in a political cartoon, does it not seem
reasonable that we facilitators must guide the learners into a full-orbed
(within whatever constraints may be before us), understanding of the context
of the people, places, relationships and basic philosophies that are all
acting in concert within such a genre?

	Furthermore, since we are talking of a group of adult learners who
are struggling with literacy, could we not agree that "classic" examples are
much less meaningful than cartoons from "today's paper", touching on issues
and events that are impacting the lives of our learners and ourselves?

	Given the above as the assumption for meaningful content, I conclude
by suggesting that there may not be a "collection" of useful resources.
Rather, the work may be in determining how to uncover the contextual
information...the very information we are looking to package and standardize
in our "resources" In this, we develop the background in the same way Miles
Horton (one who loved Tennessee), or more recently, Jane Vella---we let the
learners do it.

	In this way, the learners develop the context within their own
cultural context. Through this development, they come to discover the
meaning themselves. It seems unnecessary to point out the great educational
benefit to doing it this way.

	How does this relate to our professional development? It may help us
to focus on, and develop our, ability to facilitate while letting the adult
learners be the ones who are the "know it alls."

	Anyway...just a few rambling thoughts.

Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-aalpd@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-aalpd@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of jataylor
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 4:49 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-AALPD:1900] political cartoons

Hi All,
I know of several teachers who are looking for useful resources in helping
students understand political cartoons.  What do you recommend? I'd be happy

to compile a list of your recommendations, and re-post them to this list.
You
can email me direct, if you wish: jataylor@utk.edu

Thanks!

Jackie Taylor
Program Coordinator
jataylor@utk.edu



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