I always enjoy teaching about WWI. This topic tends to engage
a majority of students due to the proximity to the modern era, the violent
nature and wide scope and scale of the event. I believe effective utilization
of literature and art from this era could enlarge, broaden, and enrich
understanding of the subject. There are two examples that I will summarize
below with the benefits and challenges of each:
a majority of students due to the proximity to the modern era, the violent
nature and wide scope and scale of the event. I believe effective utilization
of literature and art from this era could enlarge, broaden, and enrich
understanding of the subject. There are two examples that I will summarize
below with the benefits and challenges of each:
1. Dulce et Decorum est, the poem by Wilfred Owen, is known for the
horrific imagery and condemnation of war. With sufficient scaffolding, this can
really provide students with a solid understanding of the issues that
helped cause the war: nationalism and militarism.
horrific imagery and condemnation of war. With sufficient scaffolding, this can
really provide students with a solid understanding of the issues that
helped cause the war: nationalism and militarism.
http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/collections/item/3303
2. Gassed, the painting by John Singer Sargent. As you can see in the link,
the painting is a depiction of the aftermath of a mustard gas attack. This
painting can help enrich students' understanding of the damage of the
new technologies of war as well as a view of the Western Front and the
dreary nature of "no man's land".
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Gassed.jpg
I responded to Jerry's blog.
the painting is a depiction of the aftermath of a mustard gas attack. This
painting can help enrich students' understanding of the damage of the
new technologies of war as well as a view of the Western Front and the
dreary nature of "no man's land".
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Gassed.jpg
I responded to Jerry's blog.
It's been my (limited) experience that students are a little disconnected when it comes to WWI. They seem to become more engaged with WWII, perhaps due to the fact that there is so much more available for them to see (film, etc) on the subject. They all seem to have seen "Pearl Harbor" which is a less than ideal resource for them to see.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, they are appalled to learn of trench warfare and everything that came with it (flamethrowers, poison gas, trench foot) and Sargent's painting is an excellent resource for students for teaching students about how war was conducted during WWI.
I actually took a look at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/collections/item/3303 I think poetry is a great segway for many aspects of interdisciplinary teaching. I personally use, as I think many others do) Langston Hughes. I try to let my friend know in English and we co-collaborate. I do like what you posted and I may just use this year year.
ReplyDeleteI also am using WWI. There is a wealth of resources out there. Wilfred Owen is brilliant. There is a website that has several poets, a brief biography, and their works. Check http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/firstWWarpoets.html
ReplyDeleteIt is a good site.
These are two powerful sources to help students understand the horrors of war. WWI is one of those units that is so tragic in which the glory of war and die for a nation is sent out as this noble ideal that is quickly dispelled as the truth is revealed. I like both of your sources as they capture something of the horrors people experienced in war.
ReplyDelete