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ERIC Number: EJ1027132
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0037-7996
EISSN: N/A
Learning from Harvey Milk: The Limits and Opportunities of One Hero to Teach about LGBTQ People and Issues
Donahue, David M.
Social Studies, v105 n1 p36-44 2014
Highlighting a hero is a common response to including the history of marginalized people in the curriculum. Harvey Milk is becoming that hero as social studies curriculum responds to calls for including LGBTQ people. By studying Milk, what might young people learn about LGBTQ people, issues, and movements? What opportunities and limitations exist for moving beyond one hero and learning about justice for LGBTQ people? How might social studies teachers address limitations and capitalize on opportunities in such curriculum? I analyze how Milk is presented in eight published lesson plans ranging from elementary school to adult education, two nonfiction books, and one online script for a school assembly. These materials carry limitations: reinforcing heteronormativity, ignoring homophobia, perpetuating the "great man" notion of history, and obscuring long-term struggle by other individuals and coalitions of diverse groups working for change. In the hands of social studies teachers who are aware of these limitations and can move beyond them, they also present opportunities to explore issues like marriage equality, coming out, bullying, and tools for political and social change.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Higher Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A