Essay Question: America has been unique in the world in developing their own identity directly from the contributions of individual Americans and from the geography and experiences of the nation.Its literary history has not only reflected these dimensions of American identity; it has also created it.Critically analyze two pieces of writing from the literary golden age of American history (1830s to 1860s) in order to determine the content and impact on American history.
Project Based Lesson: Utopia Society Students will design their idea of a planned community and must account for the implementation and consequences of employment, education, political participation, minority representation, religious freedom, economic diversification, ecological balance, gender equality, etc.Students will then construct a model version of their planned community with a sample population of 10,000.
Readings/Internet: Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Writings by Hendry David Thoreau, Writings of Nathaniel Hawthorn, Writings of Herman Melville
Links Lesson: 1) Cause and Effect chart of American authors during the Age of Reform, their works and their impact on American literary and social history, 2) Concept Web of Transcendentalism, 3) Cause and Effect chart of institutional reforms and their impact on American society
Essential Questions: 1) Are emotions stronger than logic?What is the relationship between the two in human nature? 2) What makes a powerful story in literature, in myths, and in history? 3) Is America an inherently religious society or not?How important is religion today in America? 4) How effective are these institutions in America today?How can they be improved? 5) What methods are most effective to promote and safeguard gender equality?
Identification Terms
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Herman Melville
Temperance
Temperance
Temperance
Temperance
Temperance
Uncle Toms Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin
Uncle Toms Cabin
New Harmony
New Harmony
New Harmony
New Harmony
New Harmony
Unitarian Church
Unitarian Church
Unitarian Church
Unitarian Church
Unitarian Church
Prison Reform
Prison Reform
Prison Reform
Prison Reform
Prison Reform
Short Answer Questions
1.Describe the temperance movement in the 1800s and the anti-drug war in modern America.Similarities? Differences?
2.What do readers of the transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau seek to find in their works?
3.Explain what the role of religion has been and continues to be in the forming and sustaining of American society.
4.What significant contributions to world culture, history and government did Tocqueville believe America made by the 1840s?
5.Examine the causes and effects of the rise and fall of utopian communities in American society during the Age of Reforms.
6.Imagine yourself a participant or witness to the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.What are the causes, events and effects?
7.Describe both the struggles (causes and effects) and the accomplishments (causes and effects) of Irish immigration.
8.Horace Mann created the structure of the public education system.What improvements can be made today? Be specific.
9.Was abolitionism effective?Define your answer and explain how modern protest movements can be effective today.
10. In what way does Herman Melvilles Moby Dick act as a metaphor for social or individual themes in the modern age?