Introduction
Over the course of this school
year in American Studies, you have learned about over 200 years of
American history, and you have examined various aspects of the American character
through literature. Now it is your opportunity to draw on what
you have learned to express artistically your views on one of the major
emphases of history class: war. How do you see the American
experience of war?
Task
Art has traditionally done far more than entertain or give pleasure; it can also instruct and convey opinion. Today, you are the artist. You will use your art to convey your feelings about how Americans have experienced war on a personal level.
Before actually beginning your artwork, you will add to your broad, text- and lecture-based knowledge of American wars through Internet research. Specifically, you will research how individuals-- Americans, their allies, and their enemies-- have experienced war on a personal level. This focus should give you a very different picture of war than what you have gained from your textbook.
You will use your research to arrive at your own opinion about the American experience of war. How has war affected the individual on social, economic, or political levels?
Lastly, you will combine the facts you have learned with the opinion you have arrived at to create an artistic representation of both. This artwork may be any medium you choose, but must exhibit this combination of fact and opinion on a deep, thoughtful level.
Procedure
Down to the nitty-gritty...1. I will break you into groups of three.2. Your group will choose three wars in which the U.S. was involved that you will study. The only rule is that you must choose at least one war from before 1900, and at least one war from after 1900. Choose from the following list. If you would like to study a war not on this list, contact me before you proceed.
American Revolution
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Civil War
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Korean War
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War of 1812
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World War I
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Vietnam War
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World War II
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Persian Gulf War
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3. Whenever there is a war, there are various groups participating in it, other groups observing it, and still other groups objecting to it. Your next job is to select three of these groups for each war. You will then search the Internet for primary source documents written by individuals from each of those three groups per war.For example, if one of your chosen wars is the American Revolution, these are some of the groups associated with that war: American Patriots, American Loyalists, British Redcoats, German mercenaries, French/Polish soldiers, black slaves (some fighting for the Patriots, some for the Redcoats), conscientious objectors (ie, Quakers)... You would select 3 of these groups to research on the Internet, and would find examples online of primary source documents from each of these 3 groups.One important rule: All three group members will research all 3 wars. The way you do this is to choose, as a group, the 3 groups per war. Next assign each group member one group per war to research. For example, Group Member X might research the following information: American Loyalists in the American Revolution, German soldiers in World War I, and American war protesters in the Vietnam War.
4. Now that all of your group members have their assignments, it's time to start researching. Your job is to locate primary source documents written by people who actually lived through the events you are studying. The best type of primary source document for your needs is a letter or journal entry by the person, because this informal writing is often more honest and emotional than a more formal writing like an essay. Click on the Resources page to find links to websites that will help you. Once you jump to the sites you have selected, use the Notes Worksheet to help you take notes on your primary source documents. You will share these notes with your group later and will turn them in to me for credit, so do a thorough job.
5. Once all three of you have completed your research, meet as a group again and share your results. Use the Discussion Question Worksheet to start your discussion of the nature of war and how war affects individual people.
6. Your last group job is to begin brainstorming your individual art projects. Think about what theme you want your artwork to convey. This theme should express your views on the way(s) war affects the individual. This should be more complex than "War is bad for people," or "War is good for people." Put some effort into this and your artwork will be more meaningful and effective. Ask your group members to advise you and to critique your plans. They can also recommend specific historical details from the Internet Research that you can use in your artwork to illustrate the theme.
7. Now you're on your own. It's time to think about the medium you're going to use for your artwork. DON'T WORRY! You don't have to be good at painting or drawing; there are many options, even for those who think they can't do art. Here is a partial list to consider:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Poetry: at least 4 ORIGINAL poems of 12+ lines each, with accompanying graphics
- Sewing/Embroidery: pillow, quilt, clothing...
- 3-D model
- Computer art/animation
- PowerPoint Presentation (May NOT be merely photos + text. Sound, video, creative theme required)
- Music/music video: write and perform your own song (You may have assistants on the performance part)
- Film/Movie: write the script and film the movie
- Digital Story, created with IMovie or Photostory software, and incorporating text, graphics, video, and voiceover.
8. It will take you at least a couple weeks to complete your artwork (including planning time) if you are putting a good amount of time and effort into it. Once you have finished your artwork, the next step is to tell everyone about it. There are two parts to this step.
- First, you need to type a two-page (12 point font, double-spaced) Artist's Statement. This is not a list of the images you created; nor is it a summary of the wars you studied. Instead, you will explain what your theme is, why it is important to you, what you think this artwork will accomplish, why you chose this medium, and you will also relate something of the process you went through in creating the project, particularly any difficulties you encountered and how you overcame them. This is a combination of reflection on the project and explanation of the importance and relevance of the project to you and to your audience. Be thoughtful and professional in tone.
- Second, you will prepare a 3 minute oral presentation. This will expand on your Artist's Statement. Include some of the same information, but emphasize why you think your work is meaningful, what you learned from this project, and how you think other people could benefit from either doing their own projects, or by viewing yours.