Perceptions, Assimilation & Identity
A Continuing Conversation...
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
September 6, 2011
Dear Colleagues:
I want to invite you to participate in our Third Common Read Series: Perceptions, Assimilation & Identity. This year we will explore how identities interact with perceptions and the way in which the process of assimilation shapes our educational experiences.
The School of Education community is invited to together read: “American Born Chinese,” by Gene Luen Yang. This colorful graphic novel will be used as a vehicle to discuss the intersection between identities and perceptions. More importantly, it will help us explore how cultural or racial stereotypes inform the assimilation process in American society, particularly in our schools. Throughout the fall and spring semesters we have scheduled topic specific discussions, speakers, and a visit from Gene Luen Yang. These events will be used to deconstruct issues related to the common stereotypes, of being a “model minority.” Discussion will also include the question of how stereotypes advance inequality in our educational system. Moreover, we will also use this opportunity to examine usages of graphic novels in the classroom and further the debate about graphic novels as a form of literature.
I strongly encourage you to get involved. Gather your colleagues and/or students, find out what the Monkey King, Chin Kee, and Jin Wang have in common and host a discussion of Gene Luen Yang’s book as it relates to your academic disciplines. Please be sure to attend the author’s public lecture on October 5th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Wisconsin Union Theater. For information on how to get involved or to see an event schedule, visit: http://commonread.education.wisc.edu or contact Dang Chonwerawong, Assistant Dean, at rchonwer@education.wisc.edu, (608) 890-2580.
Julie Underwood
Dean, School of Education
