This book draws on empirical studies of classrooms teaching The Sirens of Baghdad by Yasmina Khadra to demonstrate how novels can effectively help achieve learning objectives related to intercultural understanding and global citizenship. By combining theoretical and empirical research, the book offers insights into the most effective ways to discuss cross-cultural literature with upper secondary students who have grown up in the Western world. It outlines how, where, and why such literature can enhance students' understanding of different cultures and make them more globally aware citizens.
Part I Introduction.- The Urgency of Reading Cross-Cultural
Fiction.- Competing Educational Policies.- Literary Education in
Sweden.- Yasmina Khadra and The Sirens of Baghdad.- Methodological
Considerations.- Part II Reading.- Using Fiction as a Source of Real-World
Knowledge.- Imagination and Empathy.- Identifying With the Heros
Emotions.- Transportation to the Fictional World.- Trusting the Author and
Connecting the Novel to Real Iraq.- Partial Response Patterns.- Statistical
Analysis.- Individual Emotive Reactions.- The Teachers View of the
Intervention.- Using the Novel in Vocational Classes.- Addressing
Diversity.- Part III Discussing.- Handling Political Emotions in the
Classroom.- Creating Productive Student Relationships.- Students at
Risk.- Collaborative Teaching Practices.- Fiction's Role in Intercultural
Education.- Picking the Right Books.- Planning and Leading Book Talks.- Part
IV Conclusion.- Summary.
Karl Ågerup is Associate Professor of Comparative Literature in the School of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences at Orebro University, Sweden.
