Beyond The Four Corners Of The World

A combination biography and cultural history chronicles the lives of Navajo Ella Bedonie and her extended family, from Ella's childhood on the Four Corners Reservation to her education and marriage.

A combination biography and cultural history chronicles the lives of Navajo Ella Bedonie and her extended family, from Ella's childhood on the Four Corners Reservation to her education and marriage

Demonstrating the power of teaching global literature from a critical literacy perspective, this book explores the ways that K-6 educators can infuse diverse texts into their classrooms and find support for their endeavours in teacher inquiry communities. Through carefully analyzed, ethnographically informed portraits of classroom life alternating with teachers’ own accounts of their teaching and learning experiences, it demonstrates how students are moved to question, debate, and take action in response to global texts. This multi-vocal work both emerges from and responds to tensions and debates related to the purpose and practice of literature education in a time of Common Core State Standards.

Michael Moss on Archives brings together selected outputs from an internationally renowned archival scholar, who explored the theory and practice of archives and records management. Comprising a selection of 11 of Moss’ most significant archival writings, the book demonstrates the development of his thinking in archival theory and practice over the past 20 years. Michael Moss was a towering figure in modern archival writing and was able to push the boundaries of the discipline, notably with his analysis of how modern governments create records and his speculations about the future of the archive in the digital world. Bringing together in one place Moss’ most significant writings, alongside a comprehensive bibliography, this book documents a significant contribution to British and international archival theory and practice. Each essay is preceded by a critical introduction, written by a leading archival scholar, assessing the piece and setting it in a wider archival or historical context, while an overall introduction by the editors provides biographical information and describes the development of Michael’s archival thinking. Michael Moss on Archives will be of interest to scholars and students engaged in the study of archival science, library and information science, history, digital humanities, and media studies. It should also be of interest to professionals who work in archives and records management.

BeyondSurvival challenges the current agenda, assumptions, mind-set, and sacred cows of the Jewish establishment, which has largely accepted as a given and become resigned to its communal decline. Instead, BeyondSurvival offers an alternative vision for the Jewish future—a paradigm shift, one in which individuals can find an open and accepting community that joyously and creatively celebrates their sacred way of life. A future in which we can all grow and thrive. BeyondSurvival begins by taking an in-depth look at the obstacles that currently prevent our growth as a people. This is the survival agenda that has served the Jewish community well in the past but now needs to be laid to rest. Change is never easy, but Rabbi Bookman, drawing from his decades of experience as a pulpit rabbi and innovator, shows the reader the path to surmount them. In each successive chapter, BeyondSurvival looks at the opportunities that are in front of us—from active conversion; emerging Jewish communities around the globe; a new understanding of intermarriage; a realigned relationship of mutuality with a pluralistic Israel; a post-modern understanding of Jewish identity; reimagined synagogues and reinvigorated Jewish institutions; and a community that is truly an open door to all. In the afterword, Rabbi Bookman suggests how this can all take shape, positing that a thriving Jewish community can be actualized only when we all thrive. Against all the inertia, resignation, negativity and pessimism that pervades our world, BeyondSurvival is a breath of fresh air, hope, and practical, achievable direction for a bright future that we can create together.

This book cuts through rampant misinformation circulating about 2012 to present a coherent understanding of the Mayan calendar and the significance of the date. As an anthropologist and journalist, Will Black has conducted research into 2012 millenarianism for several years. He consequently offers a much broader and clearer picture than other books on the subject. In their haste to jump onto the 2012 bandwagon, most authors seem to have forgotten that the Maya are a real people, often living in as violently precarious circumstances as their ancestors. Will Black demolishes fantasies about crumbling calendar stones before examining the brutal cocaine wars blighting Central America. The hedonistic world of many westerners who have become interested in 2012 is contrasted sharply with the lives of ancient and modern Maya. The extraordinary world of shamans is contrasted with that of New Age seekers. Information about key visionary substances is offered.