Learning Objectives:
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Students recognize the multi-dimensional nature of America and our nation’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities
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Students see themselves in the story of America
Key Civics Themes:
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Foundations of the United States Government: Connecting themes in Building A Nation and Dark Testament to the growth and development of the US Government.
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Rights and Responsibilities and Role of the Individual: Students’ engagement with “Building a Nation Visual Analysis” includes an introduction to the painting Building a Nation by artist Angela Alés, who prompts students to think about who they are, and where they are in the painting. The painting reflects figures of various shades of black, brown, and beige lifting each other up, conveying civic responsibility and cooperation.
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Power and Politics: The fight against systemic discrimination, segregation, and the enduring fight for civil rights, as explored in “Dark Testament”.
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Active Engagement: The importance of solidarity and collective action in the face of oppression, as explored in “Dark Testament” and Building a Nation.
Activities:
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Introduction to the Goals and Objectives of the course and Civics Participation Practices
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Building a Nation Visual Analysis Guide to help students access prior knowledge of US History and make connections to their lives and experiences (below).
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Watch the trailer for the documentary My Name is Pauli Murray
Suggestion: Have students create a K-W-L reflection
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Listen to the third track from Pauli Murray reading “Dark Testament”: https://mps.lib.harvard.edu/sds/audio/427017741 with the transcript.
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Students explore connections between the poem and their analysis of Building a Nation:
What common themes do you recognize in Building a Nation and “Dark Testament”?
How does your analysis of Building a Nation connect with “Dark Testament”?
What do you think artist Angela Alés wants us to understand about America through her painting Building a Nation?
What do you think Pauli Murray wants us to understand about America through their poem, “Dark Testament”?
How do Building a Nation and “Dark Testament” connect with today’s world?
BUILDING A NATION VISUAL ANALYSIS
