Homework and in-class "Silent Seminar" (9/26)

Hi all:

For homework on 9/26, please read the packet that I handed out in class and prepare to come to class ready for your unit seminar - prepare just like last time by reading and annotating the all the documents in the packet. You did such a great job last time, so please put the same effort into this seminar! Remember, this is an assessed part of your unit grade, so be prepared!

This seminar is going to be slightly different - I'm going to switch up the styles of the seminar over the course of the year. This seminar is a "silent seminar" - which means there will be NO talking! Instead, each table will be given a packet of questions - four pages with four questions. Each person on the table will answer a question taking about 15 minutes per question. After the first round of 15 minutes, you will pass your answer to someone else on your table. Then you answer that question in the next 15 minutes *BUT ALSO RESPOND DIRECTLY TO WHAT THE PERSON WROTE IN THEIR RESPONSE*. By the time you answer the last question, you will be not only answering the question, but responding and reacting to the answers of three other people! After answering all the questions, you will receive the question that you started with and provide a final response to the other comments (taking about 5-10 minutes). At the end of the seminar, you should have answered all four of the questions and made at least five comments.

It is important that you don't ignore the comments of others and write your response to the question excluding the ideas. You could very well have similar ideas as others - in which case say that and respond or expand! In the same vein, be positive as well as critical in your responsive. The goal is to replicate a debate or discussion but through written means rather than verbal.

I will assess you in a similar way - I'm interested primarily in your ability to answer the questions, your use of the information packet (which you CAN use in the seminar), and how you respond to the comments of others.

Have fun :)

Homework for 9/16 - Seminar Readings

Please read the packet of readings handed out during last class. Prioritize the readings packet on slavery over the text book readings, but those few pages from the text book will provide important historical context beyond what we have spoke about in class.

Refer to the seminar rubric to see how you will be assessed in class (check the link on the left of the screen).

Please read and annotate the readings and come to class prepared to interact and discuss the materials.

NB: The reading excerpt is from Winthrop Jordan's White Over Black, which won the National Bancroft Prize Book award. It is considered by most historians as one of the important books on the issue of slavery in the United States. However, the book was published in 1968, so uses some dated terminology in the narrative. Although the terminology does not necessary detract from the argument Jordan is making about the origins and development of African slavery in the American colonies, during our discussion, we will be using contemporary language.

Summer Assignment

Essay (Due 9/12)

In his book, Gillon highlighted ten moments in American history that fundamentally changed the direction of the country. Some of these changes were social in nature, others were political, economic or cultural. To what extent did these pivotal moments affect the American Dream - or the sense of what it means to be an American? To what extent did these events reinforce or challenge the idea that American history is in some way exceptional?

In a 3-4 page essay, based on your own understanding of the American Dream and American identity, and using at least three of the ten events from the book, show how the American Dream changed or stayed the same over the course of American History.

Welcome.....

I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable summer!

Between now and the end of the week, be sure to have collected from me a syllabus for the course, a text book so you can start reading the material, as well as bought a three-ring binder for your notes. If you have any questions, come by my room or email me.

We will be marching rapidly through the material this year, so be sure to come to class prepared and ready to participate!