WiSe 21/22: Ausgewählte Themen Englischdidaktik - Schwerpunkt GYM/ISS: Young Adult Dystopian Fiction
Christian Ludwig
Kommentar
Young Adult Dystopian Fiction: From Worst-Case Scenario to a Better Future?!
Introducing literature to the EFL classroom can appear daunting, especially as students of the same learner group often have vastly different competence levels regarding both their English language and literacy skills. Yet, there are a number of compelling reasons that speak for literature as a language learning resource. Classic dystopian texts such as the ones by George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, Aldous Huxley, and Ray Bradbury have captivated readers for decades and continue to do so. Yet, they are “a development of the twentieth century due to the impact of two world wars and global conflicts of opposing political systems” (Ludwig/Maruo-Schröder 2018: 13). Young adult dystopias, which came into being with Lois Lowry’s The Giver (1993) have become immensely popular among young adults and adults alike. Similar to their classical counterparts, YAD reflect on current events and developments in society such as scientific progress, environmental destruction, and the loss of individual freedom and by doing so suggest possible courses of correction. Taking this as a starting point, in this course we discuss selected examples of (young adult) dystopian literature and film and explore the potential of dystopian visions of the future for the EFL classroom.
Please get a copy of and read Sherri L. Smith’s Orleans (2013). Any edition will do.
Schließen16 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung