Middle East Studies

This blog will be an opportunity for you to read and share information about events in the Middle East with colleagues in the class using internet based communication tools. Each week, two students will be asked to locate and share their analysis of a political cartoon with the class. Other students in the class will be asked to comment on your work.

Students can locate political or editorial cartoons about the Middle East from the sources listed on the home page or from newspapers (which can then be scanned in the computer lab). Be sure to cite your source!

Here’s the format: (you may copy/paste the following format onto your post)

1. Title (in italics)
2. Artist
3. Date of Publication
4. Link (including http://) if applicable
5. Questions to answer about the cartoon you chose:

• What issue, event or idea does the cartoon address?
• What key people or groups are part of the cartoon’s message?
• Choose one technique (symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, humor/irony, or stereotype) and briefly explain how the artist used it in the cartoon.
• What is the message of the cartoon? What do you think is the cartoonist’s opinion or point of view on this issue?

Symbolism — Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

Exaggeration — Sometimes cartoonists exaggerate or distort the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point. When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.) Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through exaggeration.

Labeling — Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object. Does the label make the meaning of the object clearer?

Irony — Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?

Stereotype — A stereotype is a widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person, group, or thing. It is often insulting, but it can also help the cartoon make its point quickly. As you analyze the cartoon, do you see any examples of stereotyping a person or group? What point do you think the cartoonist was trying to make by using a stereotype.