In Teaching Toward the 24th Century, the Karen Anijar discusses a lot of the issues that people, especially minorities and certain ethnic groups, are dealing with regard to discrimination, harassment and humiliation in society.
One of the main points Anijar discusses is that as a society we have big fear of the other and that which is alien to society is presented as a frightening threat (Anijar, 164). Several examples are provided throughout the text of very horrifying things that happen to people that do not conform to a certain image. The author provides several examples of where popular culture movies such as Men in Black are used to stereotype Mexicans and portray them as evil or second class citizens (160). For example, the image here is offensive as it implies that you can catch illegal Mexican immigrants by putting out a taco. The author points out that students need to learn about morals and to have an appreciation for all human beings regardless of their race, gender or sexuality (167).
Pedagogical Practices
The author interviews a teacher who highlights a few key pedagogical practices that are relevant to teaching and learning. The first is teaching students to have a respect for life (168). I think that teachers are role models to a large extent for young people and taking the time to teach students about having respect for others is crucial for the development of our society as a great whole. Since young people are influenced easily by what they see in the on a day to day basis regarding popular culture it is imperative that teachers take time to help students build an understanding of what is acceptable and how to treat others with respect. In doing so this might help improve the amount of discrimination, harassment and humiliation certain groups experience.
Anijar, K. (2003). Teaching Toward the 24th Century: Star Trek as Social Curriculum (Pedagogy and Popular Culture). New York : Falmer Press.
One of the main points Anijar discusses is that as a society we have big fear of the other and that which is alien to society is presented as a frightening threat (Anijar, 164). Several examples are provided throughout the text of very horrifying things that happen to people that do not conform to a certain image. The author provides several examples of where popular culture movies such as Men in Black are used to stereotype Mexicans and portray them as evil or second class citizens (160). For example, the image here is offensive as it implies that you can catch illegal Mexican immigrants by putting out a taco. The author points out that students need to learn about morals and to have an appreciation for all human beings regardless of their race, gender or sexuality (167).
Pedagogical Practices
The author interviews a teacher who highlights a few key pedagogical practices that are relevant to teaching and learning. The first is teaching students to have a respect for life (168). I think that teachers are role models to a large extent for young people and taking the time to teach students about having respect for others is crucial for the development of our society as a great whole. Since young people are influenced easily by what they see in the on a day to day basis regarding popular culture it is imperative that teachers take time to help students build an understanding of what is acceptable and how to treat others with respect. In doing so this might help improve the amount of discrimination, harassment and humiliation certain groups experience.
Anijar, K. (2003). Teaching Toward the 24th Century: Star Trek as Social Curriculum (Pedagogy and Popular Culture). New York : Falmer Press.
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