Today, we’re watching Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” (video below). Watch the video and take notes of things you notice – the clothes, the lyrics, and the music. Next, do your best to answer the questions below: The first line of the song is, “Born down in a dead man’s town.” What do you… Read More Born in the USA
Today, we’re reading Malcolm X ‘s speech, “The Ballot or the Bullet” (audio file below). Once you’ve read this speech, respond to one of the questions below with a one- to two-minute video response: Malcolm X was born in Nebraska, but he does not see himself as an American. What do you think has happened… Read More Ballot or Bullet
Today we’re reading Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, “The Duties of American Citizenship.” In 250 words, answer one of the following questions: By Roosevelt’s definition, do you think you are a good citizen? Why, or why not? Is it important for citizens to voice their opinions and participate in the decisionmaking process? Why, or why not? What… Read More Duties of American Citizenship
Listen to Jack Hitt’s story, “God Shed His Grace on Thee” from the episode, Give the People What They Want on This American Life. Submit a one- to two-minute video response to this story. You may find answering one of the following questions helpful: Hitt seems to suggest this continent is named after Amerigo Vespucci… Read More Vespucci, Not Great
Today, we’re looking at Parker, Morin & Menasce Horowitz study for the non-partisan, Pew Research Center. Their study, “Looking to the Future, Public Sees an America in Decline on Many Fronts,” suggests that “majorities of Americans foresee a country with a burgeoning national debt, a wider gap between the rich and the poor and a… Read More In Decline on Many Fronts
Today, we’re reading Martinez-Carter’s article, “What Does ‘American’ Actually Mean?” from The Atlantic. Select one of the following questions and post a one- to two-minute video with your response: What do you think of the claim that “America is a region, not a country”? Why do you think this way? Why or why shouldn’t we… Read More What does American Actually Mean?
Alison A. Lukowski 