Acta Scientiarum. Education
Print version ISSN 2178-5198On-line version ISSN 2178-5201
Abstract
LIMA, Douglas Mota Xavier de. Cartoons in history teaching: the middle age in ‘Felix the Cat’ and ‘Totally Spies’. Acta Educ. [online]. 2021, vol.43, e52201. Epub Sep 01, 2021. ISSN 2178-5201. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascieduc.v43i1.52201.
Unlike films and, in particular, historical films, which have earned their place as a source and as a resource for teaching history, cartoons are still little used in the school environment and as a document. Therefore, this article aims to discuss the use of cartoons in history teaching, focusing on medieval history content. The article analyzes two episodes, one by ‘Felix the Cat’ (1960) and another by ‘Totally Spies’ (2001), selected by treating the Middle Ages. The study took into account the visual elements and dialogues of both cartoons, comparing how each approached the medieval theme. It is understood that cartoons are more suitable for day to day of class, when compared to feature films, either for the duration or for mobilizing a language closer to the age range of the elementary school student. It is observed that the cartoons illustrate a series of aspects of the social and material life of the medieval period, as well as expressing different conceptions and contemporary appropriations about the medieval. It is expected that the article can contribute as much to the appreciation of the use of cartoons in the school environment and for the provision of some ways to approach the contents of medieval history, rich media and sometimes undervalued in the Basic Education.
Keywords : cinema; animation; cartoon; history teaching; medieval history.