The seminar “ Literature in the English language classroom” should familiarize students with a range of contemporary short stories and approaches to using them in the context of a teaching unit on “Living in a multicultural society”. In this context the basic fact that stories in general meet a basic human need and a plurality of methodological approaches especially for young people in order to understand the “other” should be achieved was emphasized as the main potential literature in the English language classroom can have. Because of a high scale of creative activities and product- oriented procedures in experiencing new perspectives and new ethnicities the short story has a great potential to fulfil this basic need. In order to reveal the potential of Zora Neale Hurston’s short story for “Living in a multicultural society “with respect to teaching the topic of Black Americans in the USA, the subtopic of the Harlem Renaissance as the period where Black Americans became famous and the learning goals, tasks for the learners as well as the checking of the learning achievements the following parts should provide an insight in my ideas concerning a teaching unit centring on the short story “Sweat”.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Choosing "Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston- a personal reading
- Plan of the teaching unit
- The “Rahmenlehrplan” and the didactic potential of the story within the unit
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This teaching unit aims to familiarize students with a contemporary short story, "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston, and explore its didactic potential in the context of "Living in a multicultural society." The unit will focus on the Harlem Renaissance and its impact on the lives of Black Americans, specifically exploring the representation of Black culture and experiences in literature.
- The Harlem Renaissance and its impact on Black American culture
- Themes of gender relations, domestic violence, and cultural heritage
- The representation of Black voices and perspectives in literature
- Exploring the complexities of living in a multicultural society
- Analyzing literary devices and storytelling techniques in a short story
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the seminar "Literature in the English language classroom" and its focus on contemporary short stories within the theme of "Living in a multicultural society." It emphasizes the potential of literature, particularly short stories, to meet a basic human need and help students understand different perspectives and cultures.
- Choosing "Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston- a personal reading: This chapter delves into the selection of "Sweat" as a suitable short story for this teaching unit. It discusses the story's relevance to the theme of multiculturalism, specifically focusing on the experiences of Black Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. The chapter also highlights the story's potential for analyzing literary techniques and exploring themes of gender relations, domestic violence, and cultural heritage.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This teaching unit focuses on the following key topics: the Harlem Renaissance, Black American culture, short stories, multiculturalism, gender relations, domestic violence, cultural heritage, literary analysis, and storytelling techniques. These keywords encapsulate the central themes, concepts, and research areas explored within the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the short story unit "Sweat"?
The unit focuses on Zora Neale Hurston's story "Sweat" to explore themes of living in a multicultural society and the experiences of Black Americans.
What was the Harlem Renaissance?
It was a period in the early 20th century where Black American literature, art, and music flourished, making Black culture famous worldwide.
What are the main themes of Hurston's "Sweat"?
Key themes include gender relations, domestic violence, cultural heritage, and the representation of Black voices in literature.
Why are short stories effective for teaching multiculturalism?
Short stories offer a high potential for creative activities and help students experience new perspectives and ethnicities through concise narratives.
What are the learning goals for this teaching unit?
Goals include understanding the "other," analyzing literary devices, and developing empathy through product-oriented procedures.
How does the unit relate to the "Rahmenlehrplan"?
The unit is designed to meet the official didactic requirements for English language classrooms, focusing on cultural and literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Liane Weigel (Author), 2003, Teaching Literature - Designing A Short Story Unit, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25637
