An analysis of the portrayals of Arabs and/or Muslims in America or in the Middle East in juvenile fiction and fictionalized non-fiction picture books published in English since the onset of the first Gulf War and their accessibility through American pubic libraries
[Thesis]
Ellen H. Furman
Gadsden, Vivian
University of Pennsylvania
2014
278
Committee members: Knodt, Ellen A.; Thomas, Ebony
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-321-17057-3
Ed.D.
Reading, Writing, Literacy
University of Pennsylvania
2014
America's military involvement in the Middle East along with globalization, Islamophobia, and the increase in the Arab and Muslim population in the United States render our children's ability to understand the region's people and cultures of vital importance. Such understanding is vital given the frequent vilification of Arabs, Muslims, and residents of Middle Eastern countries in general in our mass media and pop culture. Fortunately, narratives can be effective tools in helping to prevent or reverse the development of stereotypical views of others and can contribute to the formation of positive self-images in minority youngsters.
Middle Eastern literature; Islamic Studies; Teacher education; Qualitative research; Globalization; Libraries; English; War; Young adults; Arabs; Jews; Childrens literature; Literary criticism; Mass media; Fiction; Culture; Stereotypes; Blacks; American Indians
Language, literature and linguistics;Social sciences;Education;Arabs;Children's picture books;Middle east;Multiculturalism;Muslims