Cartoons Across the Curriculum
Although political cartoons have obvious applications for social studies classrooms, they can be used in other subjects as well. Use the following list to jump-start your own ideas for incorporating political cartoons as primary sources.
Science
- As part of a broader study of Einstein, you could look at Einstein’s importance and prominence in society. The Albert Einstein lived here cartoon could be one sign of his influence. Source.
- You could study political cartoons about genetically engineered food or other controversial advances in science, either recent or historical. Political cartoons could be part of a discussion of resistance to technological and scientific developments.
Math
- Political cartoons could be used to introduce or expand a census statistics analysis project. Compare the Asian immigrants on the West coast and where they settled versus the European immigrants on the East coast. Use cartoons about immigration to show how this issue was depicted differently in different regions. Immigration cartoon could go with looking at census numbers for immigrants that came into particular regions.
- This sample lesson (in PPT) for Political Cartoons: Math shows other possible uses for political cartoons in math classrooms.
Art
- Compare the drawing style of several cartoonists.
- Compare the artistic style of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books and his political cartoons.
- How do political cartoons use visual symbolism to get their message across?
- Draw a political cartoon for current events after reviewing historical cartoons for comparison.
Music
- Review political cartoons from the 1913 premiere of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, which caused riots. What was the controversy at the time? (This would be best with an analysis of documents such as reviews from the time and the audio of the music.) This could also be compared with reactions to controversial music today.
- Analyze political cartoons about the current RIAA and file sharing controversies. These cartoons could be part of a study of the role of artists and the commercial aspects of the music industry.
- Examine how political cartoons memorialized Pavarotti after his death in 2007.
Political Cartoons in the Classroom is specific to middle school/high school social studies classrooms, but some of the information and connection to national standards may be valuable to teachers in other subjects as well.