Ep102: How the current climate of divisive opinions Shapes the way Educators Teach

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features a discussion with Dr. Deborah Appleman, professor at Carleton College and author of the recently published book Literature and the New Cultural Wars. We examine the challenges those who write and teach secondary literature face in today’s current climate of scrutiny and disagreement.

During this podcast you will learn more about the following:

1. Why literature such an important subject matter for students to study
2. Factors which have made it more complicated to teach literature, and other subject dealing with historical time periods
3. Why cultural representation and diversity is needed in literary works
4. How the current climate of divisive opinions has altered the way educators must currently teach
5. How limiting literary work available to students can hamper their educational, social, and emotional development

Guest

Deborah Appleman previously taught high school English for nine years before receiving her doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She has also been a visiting professor at Syracuse University and at the University of California, Berkeley. Currently Professor Appleman is the Hollis L. Caswell professor of educational studies and director of the Summer Writing Program at Carleton College. Her recent research has focused on teaching college-level language and literature courses at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater for inmates who are interested in pursuing post-secondary education. She is the author  or co-author of more than a dozen books on literacy instruction.

Resources

Dr. Deborah Appleman

deborahappleman.com

Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

 Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone