ENGLISH 3P HONORS UNIT GOAL:
After investigating and analyzing perspectives on contemporary American identity through texts which include art, poetry, and nonfiction, students will complete a “Crash Course Video Project” which explores the impact of diverse voices on American literature and culture.
UNIT TERMS:
postmodern, symbolism, multicultural, assimilation, point of view, memoir, credibility, plot, internal/external conflict, genre
Essential Questions:
1. What is IDENTITY and how is it shaped by historical events during the 20th Century?
2. How does IDENTITY shape perspectives of historical events and conflicts?
3. In what ways does symbolism in literature, art, and theater serve to understand the emergence of a 21st Century American identity?
Objective 1: Historical Context
After completing CORNELL NOTES on “Contemporary Literature Since 1939″ students will be able to write a summary that identifies significant historical contexts and issues that inspired American Literature after World War II.
I. Pre-Reading: What is American Identity? How has it changed since the country’s beginnings?
II. Reading: Complete Cornell Notes as we read: Contemporary American Literature Since 1939 pp. 796-809 in textbook. Supplemental Reading: “The Po-Mo Page”at Georgetown University
III. Post Reading: Students will write a paragraph that describes the historical context of contemporary American Literature.
Objective 2: Identity in Postmodernist Literature
I. Pre-Reading: Close Read Barbara Kruger’s “You are Not Yourself” and explain what it reveals about identity.
II. Reading: “Mirror” by Sylvia Plath, “Blaxicans” by Richard Rodriguez, “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan
III. Post Reading: Inspired Poetry, Summary and Response Essay
Objective 3: Video Analysis Presentation
I. Task Description: Students will work together in assigned teams to create a video project that details a specific aspect of the course. The presentation should include appropriate photographs, video, music, graphs, and other visual aids. The final project should be no longer than 5 minutes uploaded to YOUTUBE and presented to the class on FINALS Day.
II. Use Crash Course Channel on YouTube as example of project elements.
III. Rubric