Dimensions
This book is out of print.
This anthology encompasses distinctly different kinds of writing and encourages students to explore various aspects of written and visual language. The material in Dimensions focuses on gender roles and stereotypes, changing personal relationships, large-scale political change and first-person accounts of living under political oppression.
It is an anthology that probes deep into the human experience, bringing together provocative visual texts – such as ‘Windsurfing Bali’ and ‘The Holy State of Matrimony’ – and the poetry of Vikram Seth. Moving, personal letters and interviews from Cambodia, Korea and Thailand shed light on past times.
- Index
- Dimensions: Cultural Change
Dimensions: Cultural Change and its Effect upon People
This activity sheet is aimed at introducing students to the effects of cultural changes upon people and their society. The activities focus on the cultural and geographic upheaval of the Hmong people as an example. These activities also encourage students to interpret the ways people express themselves, and to develop their own personal expression skills.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- construct meanings from a range of texts--some complex in construction and subject matter--and justify these meanings with detailed and well chosen evidence from the text
- consider a variety of interrelationships between texts, contexts, readers, listeners and writers
- select text type, subject matter and language to suit a specific audience and purpose
- write texts that are complex in purpose and subject, with formal language and construction .
Suggested Approach
Investigate the websites before class to familiarise yourself with the focus group: the Hmong. Students will need support to select and compile the collection of material, and in writing and re-writing their articles for these activities. They will need to consider what is the most appropriate approach to the genre. It is suggested that the activities are undertaken in groups so that students can discuss their interpretations of the material and work together on refining their articles for presentation.
Teacher Support: Websites
The most relevant websites are given but the following also contain links to other websites which include research by academics and writers, and support groups on the problems faced by the Hmong people. There are communities of Hmong in Europe who also have extensive websites maintained by support groups, the communities and other interested persons.
http://www.hmongnet.org/publications/ is a site containing a list of books about the Hmong.
http://www.hmongnet.org/publications/fbw.html contains a review of 'Facing Both Ways: Reflections on Growing Up in Two Cultures'.
