Teaching social justice in social studies through young adult literature

Theoni Soublis Smyth, Angela L Hansen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors discuss techniques for approaching current events in America's history through the use of contemporary young adult literature in the social studies classroom. The authors discuss issues of social justice as they relate to the events of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina. Freedom, democracy, gender equality, ethnicity, race, class, and socioeconomic status are topics analyzed through the use of four young adult novels. The authors discuss various classroom activities that complement the novels to inspire social studies teachers to incorporate young adult literature into their classrooms and to foster creative techniques to begin sensitive discussions about social justice and change.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSocial Justice Instruction
Subtitle of host publicationEmpowerment on the Chalkboard
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages339-346
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9783319123493
ISBN (Print)9783319123486
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

  • African-American literature in the classroom
  • American current events in the classroom
  • Democracy
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender equality
  • Literature in social studies
  • Muslim american literature in the classroom
  • Race, class, and socioeconomic status
  • Reading in the social studies classroom
  • Social justice freedom
  • Young adult literature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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