Friday, December 11, 2009

Daily Lesson Plan #1

•Introduction to the lesson: The Veil

The veiling of Muslim women, the hijab, is a clear sign of oppression of women in Muslim communities. The veil can be a mark of fundamentalism, or a symbol of religion devotion. Some say that the veil symbolizes traditionalism of women, or that women who choose to veil do so as a strategy to gain societal esteem in communities where it is difficult for a woman to have independence. The veil can also be an affordable means of gaining respect for lower middle-class women who are unable to afford expensive “Western” attire or even that the veil is a way to avoid men’s harassment and avoid society’s judgment about a women’s presence in public. In the novel, Marjane, emphasizes her lack of commitment for wearing the veil and all that it entails to her religion and her identity. This is evident in the following quote, "I really don't know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious but as a family we were very modern and avant-garde," (Satrapi,2003). Marjane's conflicting identity with the veil continues throughout the novel as she transitions from one cultural environment to the next. As a young woman, the reader views Marjane becoming more and more complacent with her role in society. This is due to the effect of war that is played on her identity as an Iranian attempting to adhere to the historical aspects of her culture while surviving in the westernized modern society. The veil can be a good way to find a suitable husband. Wearing the veil assumes the one who wears it adheres to traditional family values and norms including fidelity and/or sexual purity. Secluding women or veiling women are ancient customs. The veil is an Islamic precept as much as it is a Jewish or Christian one. The veil refers to a particular spatial dimension and indicates an assigned private space (that should not be trespassed) for women. Lastly, the veil may convey restriction and confinement, but using it should not be viewed as the rejection of one’s religion and/or tradition but instead rebelling against restrictive limitations on women’s participation in the public. Refusing to wear the veil symbolizes liberation. (Davary 47-66)

Bahar Davary. "Miss Elsa and the Veil: Honor, Shame, and Identity Negotiations." Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 25.2 (2009): 47-66. Project MUSE. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 22 Oct. 2009 .

Objective: Students will simulate a mock day in the life of Marjane Satrapi.

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to place students in the mind-set of Marjane who faced discrimination, prejudice, and issues surrounding her identity as an Israeli women.

Overall lesson topic/title: The Veil

Grade Level Content Expectations: This lesson is designed for high school level students.

Goals/Objectives:

 Knowledge Goal: The goal of this activity is to focus students on the implications and impacts of wearing something physically in your daily life to represent your identity.

 Commitment Goal: Students will wear the veil for 24 hours straight, only taking it off to sleep and shower.

 Materials/supplies needed: A scarf big enough to cover entire head

 Procedures & approximate time allocated for each event: 24 hours

•Closing summary for the lesson: Students will write a brief 1-2 page essay reflection depicting the results they encountered from the simulation, and the overall experience.

Persepolis Veil Assignment


*picture taken from website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22757761@N06/2769040239

There are two components to this assignment:
(1)Field notes: These should be authentic and in written form.
(2)Reflection Essay: The reflection component of your assignment should be the application, observation, and evaluation aspect of your assignment.


Assignment: In this essay you will be reflecting on the experience of wearing the veil as a whole. The importance of this essay is to focus on the identity crisis Marjane Satrapi under went in her novel. Feel free to pull evidence, and direct quotes from your experience in order to support your claim.

Fine Print: This is an essay, and so, should conform to basic style and format conventions, such as 12 point book fonts, 1’’ margins, double-spacing, no additional spaces between paragraphs and so on. Paragraphs should develop one clear idea. Paragraphs should be linked by thematic transitions and connections. The essay should have a refined and unified central arc. There should be an introduction and a conclusion. If you are at all confused as to the basics of such conventions, consult a style manual.

However, this is also a reflection essay, and as such you should use “I” when appropriate, and exampels from life are required to draw on your own experience.

*Fine print taken from ENG 210 Dr. Cohen Micro-Essay Rubrics.

1 comment:

  1. I really like the idea of this assignment. Would both men and women wear the head scarf? Did you hear about the protests in Iran now with men wearing head scarves?

    ReplyDelete