Learning to communicate sustainability issues through cartoons

Abstract

This project-based dissertation entitled “Learning to Communicate Sustainability Issues Through Cartoons” advocates for more awareness with regards to Sustainable Development (SD) and acknowledges the need to integrate sustainability issues within the curriculum. Driven by artistic practices, this research primarily investigates the way in which educators can use cartoons in art education to teach about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as specific artistic skills. The scope of this dissertation is to advocate for social change and environmental protection with the aim of satisfying UNESCO’s 17 SDGs by the year 2030. This research amalgamates SD, art education, cartoons and comic art to provide new and alternative approaches to deal with matters related to SD and to enable educators to incite discussions about real-life issues within schools. This study explores how the visual arts can effectively reflect present-day realities and needs, to contribute to change. This research utilises an Arts-Based Research (ABR) methodology to create a pedagogical resource which addresses complex issues like SD in a visual manner. In fact, a 32-page cartoon book consisting of a series of four short narratives was illustrated to portray specific SDGs. To increase the level of engagement and familiarity, the stories were presented in a comic-strip format and contextualised within local settings. To opt for more sustainable choices, the cartoon book was drawn digitally to ease the eventuality of distribution without the need for printing. This dissertation also acknowledges the importance of issues-based art education to shed light on matters which resonate with the world in general. Moreover, through research, critical reflections and creative approaches, a scheme of work (SoW) for Year 10 Art option students was developed, acting as a guidance tool on how to integrate this cartoon book and other concerns within the curriculum. Besides exposing students to the 17 SDGs, international artists, different art forms, learning outcomes and skills, this SoW seeks to encourage students to express their personal perspectives on sustainability issues and become active, critical, reflexive and responsible citizens in today’s society.