Plan for seminar: Aspects of the American Dream

Seminar, January 2011
Dear all
We will be working in matrix groups (like you did for the fairytale theme). You will need notes from the blog.

We will analyse the poems in class so make notes and write on the blog so we have a point of departure. This is a new genre and it might be a good idea to do a little research.

You have not been asked to do a "delprøve 1" this time. Bring your grammar books and let us see where they take us :)

I'm looking forward to seeing you!

Best wishes,
Chanett

Ps. Feel free to add comments on the different texts - it will benefit your work in class!

I hear America singing (Whitman) & I too (Hughes)

We will be working on the poems when we meet. Go to the label "Poetry" posted by Sara and consider the questions in relation to the two poems.
Furthermore, I want you to consider the time and context of the poems.
What aspects of the American dream are presented in the two poems?

Posts on the blog regarding these subjects will be helpful to our work on the analysis.

Ted Williams, Columbus OH homeless man, with golden radio voice

How is this for an American Dream? Tell me what you think.

Our America

1. Sum up the differences that LeAlan Jones sees between the "two Americas". Provide evidence from the text.

2. Put "Our America" into perspective by comparing the text to one or two of the other texts we have read on this theme. All the texts should be covered when this discussion ends:

What are the differences in the view on the American Dream?

What views on the American people are conveyed in the texts? - sum up differences.

Is America presented as an example for the rest of the world or the opposite? Provide evidence?

Adam

1.What is the genre?
2.Who is speaking in the text?
3.What is his view on the American Dream?
4.React to his view on Capital punishment? How is this view related to the American Dream?
5.Discuss his view upon love and marriage
6.Is his view upon the American Dream exceptional?
7.What seems to be the topic?
8.To whom is the text directed?
9.How does our generation seek the American Dream? Has the concept changed?
10.Put into perspective of the other texts we have read on this theme.

Arnold Schwarzenegger speech

1. Comment on the use of repetition in the speech. Does Schwarzenegger have any favorite words/phrases? What is the significance?

2. How does he make use of rhetorical persuasion tools (ethos, pathos, logos)

3. How does he describe the American Dream?

4. What do you like/dislike about the speech?

5. Why do you think the speech has such a great impact on the audience(you may want to take a look at the speech on youtube and see the spectacular greeting he receives)

6. Compare the speech to the Creveceour text and consider the question: "What is an American?" (If you promise to stay on the narrow path of neutrality and objectivity, you may bring in your own opinion)

Creveceour: What is an American

1.What does Crèvecoeur's piece (1781) tell us about late 18th century America?

2.How does he describe Americans?
- Who are they?
- What values do they have?
- Put into perspective of the declaration of Independence and historical context

3.In contrast how does he describe the Europeans?

4.Discuss whether the meaning of being an American has changed

5.Put into perspective of the definition of the American Dream

6.Discuss whether this is a reliable source

Plan for Aspects of the American Dream

14/12 + 21/12 2010

The Declaration of Independence*

Martin Luther King: I have a Dream

4/1 2011

Crevecoeur: What is an American?

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Speech

Hand in written assignment to either Sara or Chanett

11/1 2011

Walt Whitman: I hear America Singing

Langston Hughes: I, too

18/1 2011 - Seminar

L. Jones: Our America

Michael Lee Cohen: Adam

*History of America

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

Work Points: Pick the work points that you find most interesting. In the end, all work points must be discussed, though!

1. Which view of human nature is expressed in the Declaration?

2. What are the most basic rights of an American citizen and where do they come from?

3. Analyse the oppositions in the text – what values would you say, are expressed through these oppositions?

4. Pick one of the following words and explain, in your own words, its meaning(s), connotations and use:

Despotism, democracy, unalienable right, duty, necessity, colony, declaration.

5. If you did not manage to get to one of the words in 4, please find synonyms for the following words:

Endowed, instituted, transient, accustomed, evinces, constrains.

Martin Luther King "I have a dream"

1. Characterize the effect of Martin Luther King's use of voice and body language.

2. Why does this speech work?

3. Find the most powerful examples of Martin Luther King's use of imagery.

For each example, make a note about the following analytical aspects:

- What is he concerned with in this example?

- Which form(s) of appeal do you find in this example? Provide evidence.

4. What makes this one of the most important speeches in the history of the USA?

5. Why did I make you read this speech together with the Declaration of Independence? ("guess what the teacher is thinking" - my fav game!)

American History