American Hero and Transcendentalism

Agenda:

• Discussion of "A Rescue"
• How does the Deerslayer set the stage for the concept of the American Hero? Check out the heroic qualities in action in the trailer for the film adaptation of Cooper's Last of the Mohicans..
• History themes
• Transcendentalism
• Accessing prior knowledge/Connections: Discussion
• What is Transcendentalism? Notes.
• Read: "Self Reliance" and "Nature" Take a stab at the questions for the two pieces--but don't freak out if you cannot answer them all--just try. Trust your gut.

Is American Literature Possible?

Finish up Summer Reading presentations; what do we get from the reading?

Review of history terms, as well as literary terms (tools for analyzing literature).

Discussion: Is American Literature possible? Could literature and art thrive in this new nation? Were literature and art possible in the special political, social and economic conditions Americans created? How could the language and literary models of England be naturalized to the conditions of America?

This is what we will explore today, as we read some introductory notes on American Romanticism, and dive into some James Fenimore Cooper with an excerpt from The Deerslayer. To set up this excerpt: As this scene opens, Natty Bumppo -- known as Deerslayer to his Native American friends -- has been taken captive by the Hurons, allies of the French and sworn enemies of Deerslayer’s (and England’s) friends, the Delawares. Hist, a Delaware female who just happens to be in love with Deerslayer’s buddy, Chingachgook, has also been taken captive, as have two white women, Judith and her sister Hetty.

Welcome

Welcome to Honors Comprehensive American Studies II!

This blog was created by Mrs. Mireault and Mr. Bujold to help communicate more effectively with students and parents this year in Honors Comprehensive American Studies II. We will be blogging daily with the class agenda, links to assignments, and links to interesting and informative topics that we see on the internet.

You will notice there are two additional tabs: "Unit Handouts" and "Resources." These will provide ample support as we journey through the year.

We are very excited to begin this year! Click on the following for pertinent information:

• Class Expectations
• Here is our agenda for  the first unit
• The online version of The American Pageant 12th edition
• Our class discussion on American Identity

After some introductory material, let's open up a discussion:

What does it mean to be an "American"?

The answer to this question is not simple, and has many layers. This is our "Essential Question" for the entire year.

What makes up the American Identity? What defines American? What do Americans want? What words, thoughts, opinions, or even images that come to mind when we think of the “American Identity”?