Textboos Review

Textboos Review

Textbook Analysis

Textbook analysis of gender and racism bias.

Review a high school or college textbook from a core discipline (history, business, social studies, English)

"10 Ways to Analyze Books for Racism and Gender Bias"

List the name of the textbook being reviewed, subject of the book, date of publication.

Ancient World: Adventures in Time and Place. History. 1999.

List the authors and state the author's sex, if possible.

James Banks, male, Barry Beyer, male, Gloria Contreras, female, Jean Craven, Gloria Ladson-Billings, female, Mary A. McFarland, female, Walter C. Parker, male.

What grade level is this textbook written for?

Review the textbook type (written word) for cultural or gender stereotyping. Please indicate what item(s) you found and why the item(s) is specific to cultural or gender bias.

Although this particular book is about the history of different cultures and races to populate the planet, there are definitely signs of cultural bias. The book certainly seems to be written from the perspective of Western civilization -- a fact which is most discernible in the various aspects of religion discussed. The Judeo-Christian theology that dominates the vast majority of Western civilization is granted a degree of eminence that other theologies and religions are not, especially as pertaining to the covenant offered to Abraham and which is largely the basis of both Judaism and Christianity. Additionally, the vast majority of history in this manuscript pertains to men and mostly excludes the exploits of all but the most salient women.

5.

Review the textbook photos. Are there any photos which portray men or women or cultural groups in stereotyped roles or behavior?

Since this manuscript is predominantly about ancient civilizations in their indigenous areas, the most of the pictures depict cultural groups in stereotypical roles. There are images of ancient Chinese men and women picking rice, for instance. There are also photos of Eastern Indian women with dots on their foreheads and the vast majorities of their bodies covered up. Still, these pictures are depicting ancient people as they really were, and do not necessarily reflect stereotypes. Nonetheless, the majority of researchers, historians and archaeologists within this book are Caucasians from Western society.

6.

Were the experts or authorities on the subject matter males, females, or both? Could you identify the ethnicity of the experts or authorities cited in the book? If so, what were they?

For the most part the authors write with a really simplified tone of voice that is appropriate for explaining detailed, complex concepts to children. As such, it is difficult to discern the ethnicity or gender of the writers of particular passages. Again, when a passage is not about a particular civilization but is simply detailing basic principles of modern life, the pictures and examples used apply to Westerners.

7.

Is the textbook representative of all groups, (females and various cultures) and their contribution to the subject matter? Please explain.

To its credit, the textbook is representative of myriads of cultures and their contribution ot ancient, global history. It is decidedly less inclusive of the role that women played in that history. Such an analysis applies to most historical textbooks, however -- since what is written is essentially 'his story'. So women are largely marginalized in this manuscript.