ادبیات و تغییرات اجتماعی: تعامل با دانش آموزان با مسائل جاری

In this action research, we relate literature with everyday realities. Students have the perception that literature is something remote and unconnected to their lives. By determining the awareness and sensitivity of students about current news relating to gender issues, which is the focus of the course “Gender Identities: Malaysian Perspectives,” they will then be taken through a series of tasks to show connections between texts and society. More importantly, at the end of the action plan programme, the students are capable of identifying issues which can bring about social change in their communities.

In the first semester of the third year, Bachelor of Arts undergraduates majoring in literary studies at the School of Language Studies and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, take a compulsory course entitled “Gender Identities: Malaysian Perspectives” which covers theories of gender identities with an orientation which would allow them to see constructions of gender from different standpoints which may include religious perspectives, racial norms and practices, political affiliations and personal convictions. The course stretches over fourteen weeks which include weekly lectures and tutorials. The assessments comprise individual essays, oral presentation, and two projects one of which requires the students to work in pairs, and another task which requires them to work in groups of four. They are also required to sit for a final examination at the end of the semester. Therefore, a wide range of literary texts from local and abroad which form the syllabus, and activities which encompasses individual and team work as well as oral presentation ideally should allow for students to refine their writing, speaking and collaborative skills before their graduation.

Being informed about current news is of great consequence to young adults, especially when they do not have the inclination to know the things that happen around them. By linking current issues about gender in the literature classroom and designing tasks that allow them to take notice and probe more deeply about an issue of interest, we nurture learners who may respond to the subject matter more seriously. When a link is made between the realities around them and the issues in a literary text, they will find learning more meaningful and practical. If I were to introduce “Leda and the Swan” as a text to be learnt, the students will find it intimidating because of its remoteness of culture and language. However, by relating it to current issues, aspects such as point of view, diction, metaphors can be taught more effectively. Gender identities of the male (swan) and female (Leda) and the issue of rape can be discussed without being evasive. Therefore, various intervention steps taken in the teaching of the course have led to an innovation in the way in which students learn about gender that can bring about social change within themselves and those around them.