Unit 1A: What does it mean to be American?

Overview
In this introductory unit, students will create working definitions of contemporary American identity, the
human ideal, and the American Dream. They should analyze such methods for dissemination of these
ideas as pop culture media (advertisements, music, commercials, propaganda) and innovations in
technology (television, internet, YouTube). Students should analyze the roles of poverty, affluence,
race/ethnicity, religion, industrialization, and urbanization within these working definitions. They
should also be able to identify differences in the definitions of identity, the human ideal, and the
American Dream due to socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, religious affiliation, and regionalism.
They should determine whether the contemporary human ideal and American Dream are primarily
idealistic and/or pragmatic in nature. Students should examine the relationship between what it means
to be American and the role of consumerism in the 21st century lifestyle. Finally, students should
acknowledge current groups that are considered outside these definitions and analyze who is
excluded and why.
Note to Teachers
This course is designed as a seminar in which student research, reading, writing, and sharing is
expected as part of the course goals. In this unit, teachers should introduce the Independent Study
concept and inform students that they will be choosing a cultural group on which to focus their
research, reading, writing, and sharing: currently marginalized groups (e.g., LGBT, Hispanic Americans,
Middle Eastern Americans, multiracial Americans, atheists), European colonizers, European Americans,
Asian Americans, Native Americans, Jewish Americans, American women, African Americans, or other
marginalized groups at the teachers discretion. Students should be expected to contribute information
about their cultural group in each unit while the class as a whole is exploring 2-3 groups in depth. This
course structure also provides opportunities for students to demonstrate expertise in their chosen
cultural group as their research and knowledge bases extend. Students should be expected to tie their
research, reading, writing, and sharing to the unit topics as well. Students will need to choose their
Independent Study pathways by the end of Unit 1B.
Generalizations
1. National, local, and cultural identities, definitions of the human ideal (success, perfection), and
perspectives on the American Dreamand their changes over timeare reflected in literature,
philosophy, music, art, and popular culture.
2. Individuals hold varying definitions of American identity, the human ideal, and the American
Dream in which cultural background, socioeconomic status, the potential for social mobility,
race/ethnicity, gender, religion, educational opportunity, physical location, and other factors play
significant roles.
3. Utopian ideals, particularly the notion of universal prosperity, have significantly impacted
American cultural history and development (e.g., the possibility of social mobility, the availability of
resources, and the influence of the capitalist system on the ability to achieve prosperity).
4. The government and corporate media also contribute to national perspectives of American identity,
the human ideal, and the American Dream, and these perspectives are often different from those
of other countries.
5. Advertising uses appeals to human psychology to increase consumerism, spread cultural values
and beliefs, and create new elements of cultural identity.
6. Human interaction with, control of, and perspective on nature and the environment changes over
time and is revealed in the literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture of various time
periods.
Essential Questions

American Humanities, Unit 1A

1. How do literature, philosophy, music, art, and popular culture contribute to contemporary
definitions of American identity?
2. How do literature, philosophy, music, art, and popular culture contribute to contemporary
definitions of the American human ideal?
3. How do literature, philosophy, music, art, and popular culture contribute to contemporary
perspectives on the American Dream?
4. How do contemporary definitions of identity, the human ideal (success, perfection), and the
American Dream vary by individual?
5. In what ways have contemporary definitions of identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream
changed over time?
6. How does socioeconomic status affect contemporary definitions of identity, the human ideal, and
the American Dream?
7. How does the availability of and access to social mobility affect contemporary definitions of
identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream?
8. How do contemporary literature, philosophy, and art attempt to articulate modern societys values
by depicting moral perfection and/or other aspects of the ideal man?
9. How do the government and corporate media contribute to contemporary definitions of identity, the
human ideal, and the American Dream?
10. How do different contemporary ethnic and/or cultural communities express their individual
identities and ideals via artistic and literary expressions such as language, style of dress, the visual
and performing arts, religious practices, and cultural traditions (e.g., holidays, family celebrations)?
11. How do contemporary literature, philosophy, music, art, and pop culture reflect the individual
identities and ideals of different ethnic and/or cultural communities?
12. How does an individuals background (socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, cultural identity,
gender identity, and/or educational opportunities) affect his/her definitions of the contemporary
American identity, human ideal, and American Dream?
13. What are the idealistic and pragmatic aspects of contemporary perspectives on the American
Dream?
14. How have utopian ideals, particularly that of universal prosperity, affected American culture?
15. How do contemporary social perceptions of gender roles affect definitions of identity, the human
ideal, and the American Dream?
16. How does contemporary music reflect cultural values and beliefs of different social groups?
17. How can music be used to petition for social change?
18. How have innovations in the 20th and 21st centuries affected contemporary definitions of American
identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream?
19. How have innovations in the 20th and 21st centuries contributed to the dissemination of
contemporary definitions of American identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream?
20. How does the existence of a widely-circulated media affect the creation of a popular culture as well
as the spread of established and changing cultural values and beliefs?
21. How does advertising both reflect cultural ideas and create new elements of culture?
22. How has advertising influenced American consumerism over time by appealing to aspects of human
psychology?
23. How do contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture reveal Americas
relationship with the environment?
24. How do contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture reveal Americas
perspectives on nature as a useful resource or an uncontrollable element?
25. How do contemporary migration and settlement patterns affect modern American cultural values
and beliefs?

American Humanities, Unit 1A

Unit Goals
What do students need to KNOW?
Beginning definitions of contemporary American
identity, the human ideal, and the American
Dream
Socioeconomic status, social mobility,
race/ethnicity, gender, education, cultural
background, religion, physical location, and
other factors affect those definitions
These definitions change over time
There are idealistic and pragmatic aspects of
perspectives on success and the American
Dream
Industrialization, urbanization, and regionalism
affect definitions of American identity, the
human ideal, and the American Dream
Literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop
culture media can reflect the values and beliefs
of a society at a given time
Literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop
culture media can challenge established values
and beliefs
Literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop
culture media are vehicles for petitioning for and
subsequently publicizing new values and beliefs
Ethnic and cultural communities express their
identities and ideals through literature,
philosophy, art, music, and pop culture
Utopian ideals, including that of universal
prosperity, play important roles in American
society, cultural history, and definitions of
identity, the human ideal, and the American
Dream
Widely-circulated media, popular culture, and
advertising affect cultural attitudes, values, and
beliefs concerning American identity, the human
ideal, and the American Dream
Literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop
culture media express varying views of nature,
which change over time
Literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop
culture media reflect the changes in values and
identities caused by human migration and
settlement patterns

American Humanities, Unit 1A

What do students need to be able to DO?

Begin defining contemporary American identity,
the human ideal, and the American Dream
Identify 3-5 varying definitions based on
socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, religion,
gender, education, cultural background, physical
location, etc
Explain a basic outline of how these definitions
have evolved over time
Identify contemporary societal groups that are
marginalized
Analyze how and why certain contemporary
societal groups are marginalized
Identify the idealistic and pragmatic aspects of
the contemporary American human ideal and
American Dream
Determine whether the contemporary American
human ideal and American Dream are primarily
idealistic and/or primarily pragmatic in nature
Analyze the roles of poverty and affluence in
contemporary definitions of American identity,
the human ideal, and the American Dream
Analyze the roles of industrialization,
urbanization, and regionalism in contemporary
definitions of American identity, the human
ideal, and the American Dream
Identify 3-5 contemporary methods of cultural
dissemination
Identify 3-5 technological innovations from the
last half-century that disseminate cultural
information to American society
Analyze the ways in which literature, philosophy,
art, music, and pop culture media can reflect,
challenge, and change cultural values and
beliefs
Explain how 1-3 contemporary ethnic and/or
cultural communities express their identities and
ideals through literature, philosophy, art, music,
and pop culture
Analyze the influence of utopian ideals,
including that of universal prosperity, on
contemporary definitions of identity, the human
ideal, and the American Dream
Explain 1-3 differing views of nature as
portrayed in contemporary literature,
philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media
Identify how a widely-circulated media, popular
culture, and advertising affect cultural attitudes,
values, and beliefs concerning contemporary
American identity, the human ideal, and the
American Dream
Explain the role of consumerism in the 21st
century lifestyle as it relates to what it means to
be American

American Humanities, Unit 1A

Analyze how 1-3 incidents of human migration

and settlement in the last half-century have
affected contemporary literature, philosophy,
art, music, and/or popular culture

I Can Statements

I Can give a beginning definition of contemporary American identity, the human ideal, and the
American Dream.

I Can identify 3-5 varying definitions based on socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, religion, gender,
education, cultural background, and/or physical location.

I Can explain a basic outline of how contemporary definitions have evolved over time.

I Can identify 2-5 contemporary societal groups that are currently being marginalized in American
society.

I Can analyze how and why those 2-5 contemporary societal groups are being marginalized.

I Can identify the pragmatic and idealistic aspects of the contemporary American human ideal and
American Dream

I Can support my assertion that the contemporary American human ideal and American Dream are
either primarily pragmatic or primarily idealistic.

I Can analyze the roles of poverty and affluence in contemporary definitions of American identity, the
human ideal, and the American Dream.

I Can analyze the roles of industrialization, urbanization, and regionalism in contemporary definitions
of American identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream

I Can identify 3-5 contemporary methods of cultural dissemination.

I Can identify 3-5 technological innovations from the last half-century that disseminate cultural
information to American society.

I Can analyze the ways in which literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media can reflect,
challenge, and change cultural values and beliefs.

I Can explain how 1-3 contemporary ethnic and/or cultural communities express their identities and
ideals through literature, philosophy, art, music, and popular culture

I Can analyze the influence of utopian ideals, including that of universal prosperity, on
contemporary definitions of identity, the human ideal, and the American Dream.

I Can explain 1-3 differing views of nature as portrayed in contemporary literature, philosophy, art,
music, and popular culture.

I Can identify how a widely-circulated media, popular culture, and advertising affect cultural
attitudes, values, and beliefs concerning contemporary American identity, the human ideal, and the
American Dream.

I Can explain the role of consumerism in the 21st century lifestyle as it relates to what it means to be
American.

I Can analyze how 1-3 incidents of human migration and settlement in the last half-century have
affected contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or popular culture.

American Humanities, Unit 1A

Aligned Course Essential Standards

C.1
Understand
how American
culture
defines what
it means to
be an
American.

C.2
Understand
the role of
conformity
and
individualism
in American
culture.

C.3
Understand
how poverty,
affluence, and
the American
Dream have
influenced
American
culture.

C.1.1 Analyze
expressions
of identity
within
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.1.3
Compare
ways that
various ethnic
and cultural
communities
in America
have
articulated
the self.
C.1.4
Compare
ways in which
the human
ideal has
been
expressed in
American
culture.
C.1.5
Evaluate the
extent to
which
American
affluence has
affected
individual
identity.

C.2.1 Explain
how
conformity
and
individuality
have
influenced
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.

C.3.1
Compare
multiple
perspectives
of the
American
Dream using
examples of
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.3.2
Distinguish
the American
Dream as an
idealistic or
pragmatic
philosophy.
C.3.3
Evaluate
universal
prosperity as
a Utopian
ideal founded
in the
American
Dream.
C.3.4
Evaluate the
extent to
which
poverty,
affluence, and
the American
Dream have
affected
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.

American Humanities, Unit 1A

C.4
Understand
how American
culture has
sought to
balance
individual
rights with
the common
good.
C.4.2 Explain
how
discrepancies
in freedom,
equality, and
justice
influenced
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.

C.5
Understand
how conflict
and
consensus
influences
American
culture.

C.6
Understand
how human
interaction
with land and
nature has
impacted
American
culture.

C.5.1 Analyze
the
relationship
between
conflict and
consensus in
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.5.4 Analyze
American
societal
perceptions of
women.
C.5.6
Evaluate the
extent to
which conflict
and
consensus
have shaped
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.

C.6.1 Explain
how human
interaction
with land and
nature
impacted the
development
of literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.6.2
Distinguish
nature as a
useful
resource for
humanity or
an
uncontrollable
element.
C.6.4 Analyze
the
relationship
between
regionalism
and cultural
development.

C.7
Understand
the
relationship
between
industrializati
on,
urbanization,
and American
culture.
C.7.1 Explain
how
industrializati
on and
urbanization
impacted the
development
of American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.7.2 Analyze
the
relationship
between
urban
immigration,
migration,
and American
culture.

C.8
Understand
the
relationship
between
innovation
and American
culture.

C.8.1 Explain
how
innovations in
technology,
transportation
, and
communicatio
n influenced
American
literature,
philosophy,
and the arts.
C.8.3 Analyze
the
development
of popular
culture in
terms of
psychology,
advertising,
and
consumerism.
C.8.4
Evaluate
mediums of
popular
culture, such
as music,
television,
photographs,
and movies,
in terms of
historical
context and
accuracy.

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies

READING

WRITING

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

R.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of

primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained
from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.

W.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific

content.

R.11-12.10 Read and comprehend history/social studies texts

in the grade 11-CCR text complexity band independently and
proficiently.

W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the

narration of historical events, scientific procedures/
experiments, or technical processes.

Additional Reading Standards:

Additional Writing Standards:

R.11-12.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a

primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary
that makes clear the relationships among the key details and
ideas.

W.11-12.3 not applicable as a separate requirement

R.11-12.3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or events

and determine which explanation best accords with textual
evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters
uncertain.
R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including analyzing how an author uses
and refines the meaning of a key term over the course of a text
(e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
R.11-12.5. Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is
structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger
portions of the text contribute to the whole.
R.11-12.6 Evaluate authors differing points of view on the
same historical event or issue by assessing the authors claims,
reasoning, and evidence.
R.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g.,
visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address
a question or solve a problem.
R.11-12.8 Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and evidence
by corroborating or challenging them with other information.
R.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both
primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an
idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the

development, organization, and style are appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience.
W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by
planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach,
focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific
purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce,
publish, and update individual or shared writing products in
response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or
information.
W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research
projects to answer a question (including a self-generated
question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry
when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under
investigation.
W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches
effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source
in terms of the specific task, purpose, and audience; integrate
information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of
ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source
and following a standard format for citation.
W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support
analysis, reflection, and research.
W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time
for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single
sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks,
purposes, and audiences.

American Humanities, Unit 1A

Assessment Options:
W1- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Arguments

After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that argues your position on ____. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past
or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: After analyzing contemporary definitions of American identity and the human ideal,
write an essay that argues your position on the factor plays the most significant role in an
individuals personal definition of identity and ideal: cultural background, socioeconomic status,
potential for social mobility, race/ethnicity, gender, religion, educational opportunity, physical
location, or another factor. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current events, issues, or
definitions to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of pop culture and technological media, write an essay that
argues your position on whether advertising has had a primarily positive or negative effect on
American cultural identity. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current media to illustrate and
clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop
culture media, write an essay that argues your position on whether contemporary America views
nature more as a useful resource or as an uncontrollable element. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from
past or current media to illustrate and clarify your position.

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: Does cultural background, socioeconomic status, potential for social mobility,
race/ethnicity, gender, religion, educational opportunity, physical location, or another factor had
the most significant role in the development of an individuals personal definition of identity and
the human ideal? After analyzing contemporary definitions of American identity and the human
ideal, write an essay that addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from
your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or
current events, issues, or definitions to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Has advertising had a primarily positive or negative effect on American cultural
identity? After analyzing a variety of pop culture and technological media, write an essay that
addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current media to illustrate and
clarify your position.

Example: Does contemporary America view nature more as a useful resource or as an

uncontrollable element? After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature, philosophy, art,
music, and/or pop culture media, write an essay that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give
examples from past or current media to illustrate and clarify your position.

American Humanities, Unit 1A

W2- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Informative Texts

After reading a variety of texts, write a ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop
culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4 versions of the contemporary American identity
and explains how these definitions of identity are articulated in contemporary literature,
philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media. Support your discussion with evidence from your
research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop
culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4 versions of the contemporary American human
ideal and explains how these ideals are articulated in contemporary literature, philosophy, art,
music, and pop culture media. Support your discussion with evidence from your research. What
conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop
culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4 perspectives on the contemporary American
Dream and explains how these perspectives are articulated in contemporary literature,
philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media. Support your discussion with evidence from your
research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support
your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: How do literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture offer 2-4 varying definitions
of contemporary American identity? After analyzing a variety of contemporary literature,
philosophy, art, music, and/or pop culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4 versions of the
contemporary American identity and explains how these definitions of identity are articulated in
contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: How do literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture offer 2-4 varying definitions
of the contemporary American human ideal? After analyzing a variety of contemporary
literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4
versions of the contemporary American human ideal and explains how these ideals are
articulated in contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media. Support
your discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you
draw?

Example: How do literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture offer 2-4 varying
perspectives on the contemporary American Dream? After analyzing a variety of contemporary
literature, philosophy, art, music, and/or pop culture media, write an essay that explains 2-4
perspectives on the contemporary American Dream and explains how this dream is articulated in
contemporary literature, philosophy, art, music, and pop culture media. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

R1/R10- Literacy Common Core Power Standards: Reading Closely Over Time with a Variety of Grade-Level
Texts

Historical texts (primary and secondary)

Religious texts
Legal texts
Philosophical texts
Literary texts
Artistic representations
Musical representations
Language study

American Humanities, Unit 1A