read Let yourself be transported back into the past. Be curious. Sound out all the weird spellings and phrases from the past. Think about who
The assignment has several steps:
Find a nice quiet place with no interruptions. And read. Let yourself be transported back into the past. Be curious. Sound out all the weird spellings and phrases from the past. Think about who the author was or how the primary source was created. What was the author’s motive? What gave the author credibility on the topic? And what did they have to say? In this case, if you are reading John C. Calhoun, remember that his ideas have been completely discredited. But we can still gain a better understanding of our society today by understanding how widespread Calhoun’s ideas were at the time. If you are reading David Walker, remember that even though many African Americans were calling for resistance to slavery, it was very difficult to accomplish.
These primary sources are not random. They have been identified by historians as representing significant ideas that shaped the creation of the United States. As you read, ask yourself, why might it be important to understand these ideas and events? How does understanding either Calhoun or Walker, or both, help us better understand our world today?
After you are done reading, close your laptop or shut off your cellphone, and spend 10 to 15 minutes writing down what you think of the ideas in these writings. Really, what do you think? Identify some of the ideas. For each idea ask yourself: Does it make you emotional? Angry? Sad? Surprised? Does something about the United States today make a little more sense after reading this? Did an elder in your family or community once tell you about this? Write everything that comes to mind down. Then, call a friend or family member and tell them all about it. Then ask them what they think!* These discussions will be what you remember most about this class. I guarantee you, these writings will stick in your head and you will think about them as you negotiate our society today and in the future. And you will be so moved by some of the conversations you have that you will want to continue having such discussions.
Write about your discussion experience. Your description should include:
Identify and describe few of the main ideas that you identified in the primary source
A description of what you thought of the primary source
A description of the conversation you had about those ideas
This written response should be at least 350 words minimum. You are encouraged to write more if this assignment is something you want to really dig into.
This is a challenging topic and conversation. Please be sensitive to this in both your writings and your discussion.
*All of the primary sources shared in this class are in the public domain. Feel free to share the source with friends and family.
Answer preview for read. Let yourself be transported back into the past. Be curious. Sound out all the weird spellings and phrases from the past. Think about who
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