Undocumented Immigration: Using the Visual Arts as a Tool to Teach Elementary Students Understanding and Empathy

This study examines how the visual arts may be used to educate young learners about the inequities undocumented immigrants face in this country. The purpose was to teach empathy and understanding for difference using the issue of undocumented immigration as a lens. Two sets of participants took part in the study. Thirty-six second through fifth grade students were taught a lesson on the issue and created art works based on their ideas about the issue. Three Mexican adults living and working in Mexico were interviewed about their personal experiences with the issue. Results indicated that engagement in the visual arts does help children develop empathy and think critically about real life, socio-political issues that affect others and/or themselves. Additionally both the adults and children who participated in the study viewed engagement in the arts as a healing process.

Author

• Lopez, Gloria Regina

Language

• en

Keyword

• Developing Empathy in Youth
• Moral and development
• Undocumented Immigration and the Arts
• Visual Narrative
• Social Justice and Art ED.
• Community Based Art

Date created

• 2013

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Art Education

Degree

• M.A.T.

Advisor

• Lawton, Pamela H.

Committee Member(s)

• Storr, Annie V.F.
• Honig, Selia

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/pn89d676q