Why Use Zines in Research?
- Zines are primary sources. This means they provide personal insight into the experiences, thoughts, and feelings surrounding a moment in time or a particular event. Insight is especially important in regard to social justice issues!
- Zines highlight underrepresented voices and are more inclusive of marginalized and oppressed communities when compared to the mainstream media and large publishers.
- Since zines are not limited to a particular standard, there are zines on topics not covered by mainstream media and large publishers.
- By not fitting into specific guidelines, zines can portray the uncensored truth of real world issues.
- Using sources like zines "challenge the easily digestibly mainstream media" and encourage us to ask critical thinking questions about the origins and agendas of all sources (Amy Wan, "Not Just for Kids Anymore: Using Zines in the Classroom.").
Read More about Zines
Notes from Underground by ISBN: 9781621064848Publication Date: 2017-11-28From their origins in early 20th century science fiction cults, their more proximate roots in '60s counter-culture and their rapid proliferation in the wake of punk rock, Stephen Duncombe pays full due to the political importance of zines as a vital network of popular culture. He also analyses how zines measure up to their utopian and escapist outlook in achieving fundamental social change.
Whatcha Mean, What's a Zine? by ISBN: 9780618563159Publication Date: 2006-06-26This book is for anyone who wants to create their own zine. It's for learning tips and tricks from contributors who have been at the fore front of the zine movement. It's for getting inspired to put thoughts and ideas down on paper. It's for learning how to design and print your own zine so you can put it in others' hands. Whatcha Mean, What's a Zine? is for anyone who has something to say.
- Not Just for Kids Anymore: Using Zines in the ClassroomAmy J. Wan's article on zines in the classroom for the magazine Radical Teacher. This article includes the quote included in the first box of this page.
Zine Assignments
If you are an instructor or faculty member considering a zine assignment in your classes, here is a collection of examples from other universities!
- Barnard College Zine Lesson PlansThis webpage includes a resource guides to introduce students to zines and zine-making as well as example lesson plans for different experience levels.
- Salem State University's Teaching with ZinesThis LibGuide contains advice from zine librarians, the history of zines in academia, and example assignments, rubrics, and submissions.
- Salem State Scaffolding Zine AssignmentsThis resource is designed to help instructors introduce creative elements into their coursework, so students can successfully complete a zine for a final assignment.
Pros and Cons of Zines in the Classroom
Before incorporating zines into your curriculum, it is important to recognize the impact the lesson will have on the students.
- Let's Talk About Zines in the Classroom- Pros and ConsThis article provides the perspectives of Liz Mayorga and Daniela Capistrano as they discuss the merit of using zines in classrooms.
In the article above, Daniela Capistrano, founder of the POC Zine Project, urges educators to ask themselves the following questions:
- Why do I care about introducing zine-making and zine culture to my students? What relevant information should I be sharing with them about zine culture and history — and how do my own privileges inform how I prioritize this information?
- Does it make sense for me to only talk about zines made by white people to a classroom full of primarily students of color?
- Is it really necessary for me to grade the zines—can they simply get a pass or fail based on completing the assignment?
- What am I leaving out of my retelling of zine history that is silencing and oppressive to my students of color?
- If I don’t have much information about zines by people of color, what steps will I take to educate myself BEFORE introducing zines to my students?