Moments of Pause: Understanding Students' Experiences With Muslim Young Adult Literature

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: International Perspectives on Curriculum and Instruction

Abstract

Although scholarship has examined the representation of Muslim characters and/or followers of Islam in literature for children and young adults and provided reference materials for classroom instruction, the incorporation of Muslim literature in classroom contexts is largely unexplored. Drawing from Braun and Clarke’s (2006) conception of thematic analysis as both a methodology and theoretical approach, this paper attempts to describe the shifting perceptions of a high school English class as student participants read and discussed young adult texts centered on Muslim protagonists and the religion of Islam. Findings offer a graphic display for understanding the participants’ shifting perceptions and how the learning experience ultimately resulted in students’ ability and willingness to challenge their initial beliefs about Muslim cultures and Islam.

Authors

• Ricki Ginsberg, Colorado State University

• Wendy J. Glenn, University of Colorado - Boulder