Zines Could be the Key to Demystifying Adolescent Literacy: Here's Why

 Zine

  1. a shortened form of the term "fanzine"
  2.  a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images
  3.  has roots in the informal, underground publications that focused on social and political activism


Introduction to Inquiry Blog Topic

    As you may have gathered by the above definition (provided by University of Texas Libraries), I am considering exploring zines as the topic for my inquiry blog. I have been fortunate to learn a bit about the production and background of zines through a couple of courses I have taken at UWM; however, I am increasingly interested in the role they can play in demystifying adolescent literacy through the versatility the format provides. As mentioned in the third portion of the definition, zines are rooted in underground publication that push for social change and activism. These roots provide an amazing pathway for the cosmopolitanism aspect Christopher Edmin lays out in equity literacy. Zines are commonly positioned in contrast to oppressive systems and policies, and giving students the power to utilize the pushback power of zines within the classroom. On top of the underground nature of zines, I am also familiar with a few other ways zines have the potential to strengthen adolescent literacy for all. For example, there is no one topic or category that defines what zines could be about which makes them endlessly applicable to various topics in and out of the classroom. I also know that zines can be original publications published by an individual or a reaction to/appropriation of another text/image/event. With this prior knowledge in mind, there are a few guiding questions I seek to find out in this inquiry blog.

These questions include:

  • How can the appropriation of in class materials through the creation of zines deepen students' understanding of texts?
  • In what ways can zines provide opportunities for students to speak up against oppressive systems and policies in their own lives/schooling?
  • Can zines be mentor texts that engage students and inspire them to participate in the underground circulation of activist ideas?
  • How can zines be culturally relevant texts and in the secondary English education classroom?


Some resources I will utilize in exploring these questions include:



Comments

  1. Jenny RuddSeptember 26, 2022 at 1:31 PM

    I love this idea! I just recently started working with zines in my writer's workshop this semester. I know you mentioned you were in that class last semester so I think it's really cool you're continuing on researching them! They are a great way to produce media artistically. I am excited to read more! -Jenny Rudd :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Candance Doerr-Stevens (a.k.a. "dancing stylus")October 13, 2022 at 1:33 PM

    As you know already, Kimberly, I LOVE this topic. It looks like you already have several sources to explore, but I'll include a link below for some more sources that I've been collecting over the past couple of years. I look forward to seeing what texts you gather for your students to read/view on this topic.

    CDS personal pics on Zines:
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XRtVqgwq8xRIjs31Q_wHHvNIymMW9-PtY8QE71TUHXA/edit?usp=sharing

    ReplyDelete

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