GT American Studies is kicking into high gear this quarter with Redhawks in the class tackling a semester-long project centered around the meaning of American identity.
“The theme of identity is the bedrock of this class, for APUSH as we move throughout time the building of identity shapes the actions and the lens we look at history through,” American Studies teacher Whitney Schell said. “For Lang, identity will shape the rhetorical devices used to craft an argument. That identity is a complex topic that will be used to persuade people to believe an act in certain ways. Once you can pinpoint that it will be easy for the students to evaluate how they think and move through the world.”
Students are currently working on the first step of the extensive project, which entails crafting a thesis statement answering the question, “What is an American?”, completing a timed, in-class, synthesis essay, and finally creating a product and presentation that creatively sums up their argument.
“We have to gather sources to defend our thesis about what constitutes an American, with the goal of eventually writing an essay individually and making an educational product in groups,” junior Trisha Agarwal said. “Right now, I am just trying to gather sources and develop my thesis, so that I am prepared for the upcoming essay.”
In addition to gathering sources and developing their argument for their essay next week, AMSTUD students are also examining the various factors impacting the American identity in class, exploring continuities and changes over time.
“In class, we are learning about American history, and through that, we discuss American values and ideals,” junior Saanvi Patel said. “This also connects to how American identity has changed over time.”
For Patel, this project provides an opportunity to examine her peers’ perceptions of the American identity and what constitutes an American.
“I hope to gain a better understanding on how people perceive American identity because there are so many ways to identify what an American is,” Patel said. “I am excited to see everyone’s project at the end of the semester and see the different ways of identifying an American.”
But for Agarwal, the project is an opportunity to learn about topics and perspectives that aren’t often touched on in school.
“In class we are focusing a lot on American Exceptionalism and all the events that set political precedent we use to this day,” Agarwal said. “In a way, almost everything we learn in class discusses the development of American identity and the values behind it. I hope to gain a better understanding of all the various perspectives throughout the history of America, especially those that haven’t necessarily been taught in my previous history courses.”
Regardless of the learning opportunities provided by this project, though, both students and teachers are looking forward to the conclusion of the project in which students will bring food relating to their thesis for a class potluck.
“I am most excited for the presentations to see what amazing ideas the students have come up with, and the food they will bring that reflects their project,” Schell said.
