In the spring semester of 2010 the Outreach Center put on a workshop looking at Hip Hop in the Middle East region and Africa, and this Online Resource is one of the culminations of that interdisciplinary academic inquiry. The workshop particularly focused on emergent global forms of Hip Hop culture that provide unique points of access into contemporary socio-cultural currents in the Middle East region. Some of the inspiration for this inquiry and initiative, which also comprised a Hip Hop performance on campus with Syrian-American artist Omar Offendum and a visit to a local High School by the Arabic Hip Hop Palestinian artists, DAM, is an appreciation for how contemporary art in general, and Hip Hop in particular, can generate unique learning opportunities about the Middle East region for students in America. There is a broad range of applications and uses of Hip Hop for secondary school courses including inquiries into contemporary issues and politics, youth culture and resistance narratives, race and gender politics, national [and trans-national] identity, globalization and media, literature and linguistics, and art and culture.
Produced by Judy Brodigan
This five-part lesson about Egypt is designed to help young students explore the similarities between themselves and the other humans who inhabit our planet.
High on the sands of the Sahara Desert stand the pyramids of Egypt, a visual reminder of a superior civilization that thrived along the Nile River beginning over 7000 years ago. This advanced civilization provided the world with a wealth of learning and inventions. The Middle East also gave birth to three major religions.
If we are to have world peace, we must learn to understand and accept one another. These lessons are designed to help young students explore the similarities between themselves and the other humans who inhabit our planet. It is my hope that this understanding will lead to increased tolerance.
This five part lesson about Egypt is designed for elementary level classrooms, and explores the following lessons:
Egypt: Where Is It and What Is It Like?
Comparing Communities: How Long Have the Communities of Egypt and the United States Existed?
Using Artifacts to Uncover Culture: What is This Item and What is its Purpose?
Earning a Living: Farming and Tourism in Egypt
Children in Egypt and the United States: What Do We Share?
Each lesson includes background information for the teacher, suggested activities, worksheets, audiovisuals, etc. A bibliography and resource list is enclosed.
Download files for this resource
Egypt: A Land of Firsts
A Group Project Abroad (GPA) by Carol Bacon
Topic: History, Social Studies, Geography
Subject: Where in the World is Morocco?
Duration of lesson: 3-50 minute lessons
Grade Level: K-5
Rationale: The students will develop an understanding of Africa and its diversity; and an understanding of Moroccan culture and geographic features.
Lesson Objective: The students will analyze and interpret maps of Africa, Morocco, California, and the Moroccan flag to learn important facts.
Download File: FullModuleCarol.pdf
Thirteen U.S. teachers blog from Morocco about their experiences in a five-week seminar with the UCLA African Studies Center, sponsored by the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program.
Characteristics of Islamic Architecture and Art: a slideshow.