Click here for a editable small group worksheet.

Featured Theme Song: "We Belong Together" by Vampire Weekend

Songwriters: Rostam Batmanglij / Ezra Koenig

Please make sure you turn in your script (essay with citations) and bibliography on paper. Now click the appropriate link below to upload your video presentation (only if you are NOT using VoiceThread):

• Period 2 = "Just America"
  

  

• Period 5 = "Real America"
  

  

The images above are adapted from George Packer’s most recent book, Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal. His essay version is called, "The Four Americas" and originally appeared in The Atlantic.

Download Annotated_RUBRIC_-_4th_quarter_project_.pdf

Click here to see three student-created exemplars from a few years ago.

MLA citation protocol (the basics):

And don't believe what this student wrote ;)

If you missed class, you need to watch the following video and turn in the study guide (below)

>>bUSH2<<

>>bUSH5<<

* * * * *

WHY does this kind of research matter?

See The Atlantic: "The Books of College Libraries Are Turning Into Wallpaper"

In order to see your feedback on your iPad beyond the color-coding, please follow the directions below:

1. Click on the link below to access the spreadsheet of possible questions
2. Make sure Google Sheets is in "light theme", not "dark mode"
3. Select your question (or any other) cell
4. Tap it once and then select, "NOTE" to see the written feedback

LINK to VIEW FEEDBACK

If you still need to submit a successful 4QP proposal, click here.

>>SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL(S) HERE<< 

>>NTHS LIBGUIDE HERE<<

Here is a link to a journalistic example (using a very similar method).

RECENT CONTEMPORARY ISSUE: In his State of the Union address...President Obama celebrated the fact 'that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together.'"

WHY QUESTION: Why does the USA incarcerate such a high percentage of its population, despite falling crime rates?

ANSWERS:

1. Crime surged during an era of social upheaval (historical look-back)
2. The federal government got more involved in local law enforcement.
   
3. A War on Drugs was launched.
   
4. Politicians changed sentencing laws.
   
5. More?? Others? Consider the role of race.

"Coming up with good questions in history is often more difficult than the answers."--Stephen Berry. @CWI_GC

— Kevin M. Levin (@KevinLevin) March 9, 2021

Need more help understanding proximate versus ultimate factors (causes)? Perhaps this will trigger your memory:

Lastly, here is a rationale for writing your own piece of history. Listen to the last half of the Today, Explained "American_history_v9" podcast (transcript) where David Blight, Yale University Professor and President of the OAH (Organization of American Historians) weighs in on recent efforts by the Trump Administration to "celebrate America's greatness" in Executive Order #14253:

Read carefully, distinguishing between the primary and secondary sources included in the following packet and answer the questions:

>>DEBRIEF FORM CLICK HERE<<

>>Click here for the role assignments<<

Here is a rather strong interpretation (below) of how the United States initially became a world power. Johnny Harris is a filmmaker, journalist and has a degree in international relations. This is a master class in presentation design, so think about how you could incorporate some of his explanatory techniques into your 4th Quarter Project. Feel free to visit Johnny Harris' YouTube page to see other work he has done and scroll down for his presentation design tips.

>>CLICK HERE FOR THE AD-FREE VERSION<<

What is the author's opinion on whether or not America is an empire? How does he demonstrate/communicate his viewpoint?

How did the "United States" become "America"? This 33-minute podcast features historian Daniel Immerwahr:

How do historical and artistic depictions of the American landscape connect to the idea of an American empire? Pay special attention to "manifest destiny" and the Turner Thesis.

Miss the video? See it HERE.

To help you better understand what the Turner Thesis is, the video below provides a novel approach at explanation:

An Introduction to Frederick Jackson Turner's The Significance Of The Frontier In American History from Macat on Vimeo.

Listen carefully to the embedded 9-minute podcast from BackStory, which details Americans' historical relationship with their domesticated animals. How are cows and pigs, for example, “creatures of [the American] empire”?

Make a copy of the worksheet by clicking here.

The following sources may give you more insight:

And/or watch an 18-minute excerpt from American Experience: Freedom Riders by clicking below:

If you're struggling with the 3rd requirement (conditions in Parchman Farm Penitentiary in Mississippi), you should watch this 18-minute clip from The PBS film, Freedom Riders. And/or read this article about Hezekiah Watkins, a 13-year old put on death row in that very same prison.

2001 interview with John Luther Dolan:

or Click here for improved audio.

This is an ANONYMOUS survey, so feel free to be as honest as possible, keeping in mind my role as a mandated reporter. This will make more sense once you have seen the assessment for John Dolan, the young Freedom Rider working with CORE.

UPDATE: after reading so many of your heartfelt comments, I listened to this show about sleep deprivation, competition, grades, homework, and parental pressure. If you get a chance, it's worth a listen: 

If you need access to the primary source materials, please see below and/or click here:

Please leave your slide annotations (as comments) in VoiceThread using the appropriate link below:

bUSH2

bUSH5

Why did it take approximately 100 years for basic civil rights to be granted to Black Americans? What were the proximate and ultimate factors contributing to the passing of Civil Rights legislation?

Please read OpenStax by clicking here. The assessment (based on both the reading and the presentation below) will be formally assigned once the presentation is concluded. But early commenters can get feedback in class.

NOW, consider the following requirements:

1. Choose 2-3 adjacent slides, minimum.
2. Leave thoughtful and thorough comments (annotations) as text, audio, or video (w/ partner, only)
3. The strongest comments are tied directly to the textbook (cited), but you may also respond to another student's comments, and/or provide an original analysis for slides, images or documents not covered in class. Other comments can and should provide narration, but won't be assessed as highly as textbook-based or original analysis kinds of comments.
4. Ask yourself: "How can I corroborate or contradict, analyze what is in the frame, or provide empathetic narration on this particular slide?"

Note-taking guide below or make a copy HERE.

Think about the "bump back" mentioned in Ellison's Invisible Man. What were the proximate causes of the legislative changes the United States enacted in the the mid-1960s? As you watch the film, Eyes on the Prize: "Ain't Scared of Your Jails" (linked below), fill in the study guide with specific details from each technique used by activists:

1. FILM: click here to watch (no need to download)
2. STUDY GUIDE: 
   Download EYES_ON_THE_PRIZE_Ain_t_Scared_of_Your_Jails.pdf
3. TRANSCRIPT:
   Download Ain_t_Scared_of_Your_Jails_transcript.pdf

If you want to make a Google doc copy of the worksheet below, please click here.

Based on Rothstein's book, The Color of Law, this video explains the following:

• What is de facto segregation?
• What is de jure segregation?
• What is "redlining"?
• What is "blockbusting"?
• What is the difference between income and wealth? What are the racial gaps in these factors?
• What does Rothstein suggest we do as Americans to rectify past injustices? Do you agree with his recommendations?

Segregated By Design from Silkworm on Vimeo.

In order to better understand the ultimate factors (long-term causes) leading to civil rights, please watch the first episode of the legendary documentary, Eyes on the Prize and fill out the guide below.

Given the stakes, why not give it a try? Start with this NPR article. Click the image below for the original challenge put out by the New York Times:

Consider his answer in light of your Reconstruction Rebooted plans...

Please wait until you have presented to respond. Click image below to submit:

Here's an interview with Eric Foner, who has a complicated view of the assessment of the Reconstruction era. The second half of the podcast has some key information and critiques of the Reconstruction Amendments (13, 14, 15) that should help you decide how to proceed in your plans. (If you click on the link above, you should also see a transcript which might be faster in finding what you need.)