AMERICAN STUDIES American Dream Project

Instructions: You are to complete a number of assignments on the topic of the American Dream. The following items need to be included as part of your project.

1. Social Studies Classroom-Based Assessment

Just as the state requires students to pass a test in certain subjects, the requirement in social studies is for students to meet standard on what is referred to as a classroom-based assessment (CBA). This is the unit in which you will complete your CBA for American history.

The topic for this paper is Cultural Interactions. Here is your required task for this CBA: “A responsible citizen understands the various cultural influences that affect our lives, nation, and world today. You will choose members of one cultural group that reside, or have resided, in two regions or countries and analyze the contributions they have made, the economic success they have had, and the level of social and political participation they have attained.”

It is a persuasive paper. As such, you will present a clear thesis discussing in which region the cultural group fares better. Throughout the paper, you will be comparing and contrasting the group’s situation in each region/country, focusing on both similarities and differences. Specific facts, details, and references – as opposed to general statements – are required in order to meet standard. You are also expected to use the writing process, meaning that a rough draft is required. The paper should be three to five pages long (typed, double-spaced, 12 point font).

Finally, research is necessary. A minimum of three credible sources from multiple perspectives must be used, with no less than one of them being a primary source and no less than one secondary source. You will need to turn in the notes that you take, fill out a graphic organizer designed to help you prepare your ideas, as well as create an annotated bibliography, using MLA format, in which you describe the credibility, reliability, value, and usefulness of the information in each source.

2. CBA Presentation

A second assessment you must complete is a persuasive visual presentation related to what you discovered during your research of the CBA. The basic assignment is this: you need to persuade people as to which region or country is the best for the cultural group you researched. This can take one of several forms, including a pamphlet, a brochure, a video commercial, or a poster. Whatever the form, it will require some sort of visual, a slogan, and a short narrative elaboration (150 words or so), with a minimum of three strong reasons that will convince the class of why your chosen region or country is the best. Along with creating this visual presentation, you will also need to present it to the class.

3. Great Gatsby Essay

The third assessment is a one and a half to two page essay focusing on one of the characters in The Great Gatsby, in which you examine the character’s view of the American Dream. The essay needs to use details, examples, and quotations from the novel and stay true to the character’s beliefs.

Each of these items will be turned in separately.