Article: “Japan’s forgotten indigenous people” http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200519-japans-forgotten-indigenous-people In the Japanese school curriculum (set by the central government in Tokyo) there is very little time and space spent on the Ainu, an indigenous group that has almost been completely assimilated and there are maybe less than 100 Ainu language speakers left. What Read more…
The extract below is a translated Japanese creation myth in an ancient text named Kojiki. The original text is written in an type of writing that the vast majority of modern Japanese people cannot read. Additionally, the text below differs in some ways from the ancient and modern Japanese versions. Read more…
Eddie Adams’ iconic Vietnam War photo: What happened next https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42864421 Consider the different aspects where is there “a little knowledge” regarding the photo and the actual incident. Then look into the larger question that is asked in May 2023 Prescribed Title #4.
Consider the photo below from the perspective of artists and natural scientists. What aspects of the image or of the tardigrade can be explained / cannot be explained? Is it the parts that can or cannot explained that are more important?
Dos Equis “Some People Know More than You.” The ad below conveys many layers of information / knowledge to the reader. Some of these are helpful and some of these are not. This text is part of an extremely successful (and very sexist) ad campaign. Consider the following questions: You Read more…
Article: Why ‘Maus’ remains ‘the greatest graphic novel ever written,’ 30 years later https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/08/11/why-maus-remains-the-greatest-graphic-novel-ever-written-30-years-later/ Academic history texts are only one way to gain knowledge of history. Consider the style of Maus and the background of the author. What methodologies do the graphic novel and reader rely on to produce knowledge? Read more…
Text: Cartoon is from https-//www.puddlemunch.com/ Cartoons obviously make heavy use of visual representations. Some, like this cartoon, use both visuals and language. This particular cartoon has a humorous tone but it also does highlight the growing problem of the overuse of prescription drugs. To what extent to the visuals in Read more…
Text: Ben Jennings. “Rishi Sunak’s plan for extra maths lessons” The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2023/jan/04/ben-jennings-on-rishi-sunaks-plan-for-extra-maths-lessons-cartoon Editorial cartoons as a text type have certain features (e.g. exaggeration, labelling) that could be considered “methodologies.” How does conveying a view of the PM’s math plan in the form of an editorial cartoon affect the knowledge Read more…
Text: Trisan Hopper “FIRST READING: Canadian politics might have a nepotism problem” https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics-nepotism-problem Extract from the article: “Ben Carr is mulling a run for the Liberal nomination in Winnipeg South Centre, the seat vacated by the recent death of his father Jim Carr. And with Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie set to retire from Read more…
There are certain aspects of art and religion which some might argue cannot be explained in certain ways given the deeply personal connection to each. Consider the Japanese statue below. There are artistic and religious aspects of the statue which can be explained quite clearly such as the use of Read more…