"American Skin" Song Analysis
Students will explore their ideas about fairness in the American criminal justice system and the role of race and ethnicity by analyzing the depiction of the Amadou Diallo shooting in Bruce Springsteen’s song “American Skin (41Shots).” They will apply newly acquired knowledge about the protections and limits of the Fourth and 14th Amendment and law enforcement challenges to a reevaluation of their ideas about fair and equal treatment by the police.
"The Bet" Story Analysis
Students will study arguments made for and against capital punishment, using Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Bet."
Exploring King's Beloved Community
In this lesson, students analyze a political cartoon, and in discussing its meaning, also have a conversation about Martin Luther King’s “beloved community.”
"Jury of Her Peers" Story Analysis
Students will examine their understanding of the functions and makeup of juries in contemporary society by analyzing jury issues raised in Susan Glaspell's short story "A Jury of Her Peers."
Who Speaks in The Confessions of Nat Turner?
This lesson uses an excerpt from The Confessions of Nat Turner to explore concepts of historical voice with students.