We will be having a discussion in which you will play the
role of a prominent religious or reform leader from the Antebellum
period. You will need to stay in
character to ask and answer questions as your person might have done.
Grading Rubric
(Please staple this rubric to your assignment when you turn it in – on Nov. 2)
|
|
Possible Points |
Your Points |
|
I. Autobiographical Introduction |
15 |
|
|
II. Your answers to questions 1 – 3 about the challenges
facing the country and your recommendations |
30 |
|
|
III. Appropriate questions for other characters |
15 |
|
|
IV. Analysis of the primary document |
20 |
|
|
Active, perceptive, and accurate participation in the
roundtable reflecting your person’s character |
20 |
|
|
TOTAL |
100 |
|
You are responsible for doing the following tasks. All work that you hand in must by typed and
ready to turn in on Wednesday, October 19.
I. Research your person and learn as much as possible
about that person’s life and thoughts.
Prepare a short “autobiographical” introduction for your person
explaining why this person is notable and what contributions he or she has made
to American history. Try to find several
sources on your person so that you get a fuller picture.
II. Research your assigned person from the list below and
type out answers to the following questions as your person would have. Your answers must be typed. We will be having a discussion where you will
play the role of your person and answer these questions. You will be responsible for telling the class
about yourself and expressing your person’s opinions about the issues that are
discussed.
1. What do you consider the biggest challenge(s) facing
Americans today? Why do you believe the
way that you do?
2. What do you think individuals can do to improve the
character and lives of ordinary Americans?
3. What have you done in your life to try to achieve this goal? Have you been successful? What obstacles and criticisms have you faced as you fought to make the country a better place?
(over)
III.
Write down one question
specifically tailored for each of the two people highlighted on the list below. You will need to read about those people in
order to write a question appropriate for that person. Keep the character of your own assigned
person in mind and write questions that would be appropriate for your
role.
IV. Read the primary
document that you have been given. It is
either by your person or about your person or the issue your person was closely
associated with.
1. Write a short summary of the main points of the
document.
2. Write up your analysis on what we can learn about your
person and his or her cause from reading this document.
For the purposes of our discussion, the year is 1848 and
anyone who is deceased has miraculously been resurrected.
Reformists and Religious Leaders
Please make a name
plate for your person. Feel free to
search out pictures on the Internet so we can see what “you” looked like.
Abolitionists
William Lloyd Garrison (Derrick) David Walker (David) Frederick Douglass (Dan) Lydia Maria Child (Taylor) Lewis Tappan (Christine) Transcendentalists
Henry David Thoreau (Wade) Margaret Fuller (Naomi) George Ripley (Josh) Women’s Rights
Sarah Grimke (Geri) Elizabeth Cady Stanton (Maddy) Catherine Beecher (Cantrell) |
Other Reformers
Dorothea Dix (Shayda) Horace Mann (Tim) Neal S. Dow (Graham) Religious Leaders and Communalists
Charles G. Finney (Danny) Brigham Young (Casey) Mother Ann Lee Stanley (Kirby) John Humphrey Noyes (Florian) |