ADVANCED PLACEMENT U.S. HISTORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT, 2017 Below is a list of movies depicting various events, eras, and people of U.S. History. It is not an exhaustive list, but rather an incomplete sampling of the chapters that tell the story of America. For your summer assignment you must watch the movies marked with an asterisk. Plus, watch as many of the others as time and interest allows. Remember, with each movie your understanding of our complex and diverse history will grow. Hopefully, you will appreciate the ideals on which the country was founded (even in those instances when we have fallen short) and the continual effort to create a more perfect union. So pop some popcorn and enjoy. Movie Choices: The Crucible Good Night and Good Luck Last of the Mohicans Mississippi Burning 1776* Malcolm X John Adams HBO Series Selma* Amistad* The Butler 12 Years a Slave The Help Glory Brooklyn Lincoln Hidden Figures Far and Away Bridge of Spies Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee* Thirteen Days* Iron-Jawed Angels* Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam* Inherit the Wind Good Morning Vietnam The Great Debaters* Forest Gump Grapes of Wrath All the President s Men The Tuskegee Airmen Frost/Nixon Flags of Our Father Norma Rae Windtalkers Milk Saving Private Ryan Argo 42 Charlie Wilson s War Trumbo Blackhawk Down Step 1: Find a legal method for obtaining the movie, such as Netflix, Redbox, On Demand, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or even your local library. Step 2: Watch the movie. Take some notes to assist you in the next step. Step 3: Type a heading that includes the name of the movie and the date you watched it. Also, include the course theme you believe is most prominently portrayed throughout the movie. (The course themes are listed on the following pages.) Under the heading type a paragraph using fifty words or less to explain your choice (include word count). Most movies embody several themes; simply pick the one to which you can offer the best explanation.
Example: Norma Rae 13 June 2017 Economy Norma Rae describes labor systems, jobs, ways of working, and the working class as Norma Rae, a factory worker, ignores her lousy working conditions until hearing an inspiring speech by a labor organizer. Norma Rae is motivated to join the unionizing effort and rallies her fellow workers to join her. (50 words) On the first day of class, you will simply submit Step 3. Please print and staple. Do not put assignment in plastic sleeve/binder. Step 4: Find your next movie. Repeat. B elief System APUSH THEMES B-A-G-P-I-P-E Ideologies, Religion, Art, Literature, Artistic Expression, Cultural Values, Science, Philosophy, Ideals, Morality, Moral Values, Popular Culture A merica in the World Competition for Resources, Dominance, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Expansionism, Imperialism, Global Connections, Global Trade, Global Communications, Global Conflicts, World Wars, Military & Economic Involvement in the Developing World G eography & Environment Climate, Geography, Environment (Natural & Man-Made), Interaction with Environment, Natural Resources, Exchanges: Plants, Disease, Animals, Technologies P eopling Movement To/From/Within the U.S., Nativism, Immigrant Groups, Demography, Indigenous Populations, Immigrant Debates I dentity Gender, Gender Roles, Class, Racial/Ethnic Identities, National Identity, Regional Identity, Nationalism/Patriotism, Group Identities, Assimilation
P olitics & Power Constitution, Role of State, Political Process, Political Party System, Government, Federalism, Federal/State, Local Governments, Liberty, Rights, Democracy, Citizenship, Authority, Power E conomy Agriculture, Commerce, Trade, Manufacturing, Labor Systems, Jobs, Ways of Working, Labor & Social Class, Economic Developments, Land Distribution, Trade Patterns/Exchange, Innovation, Transportation, Technology, Globalization, Capitalism, Free Markets, Communism, Socialism, Industrialization, Regulation Postscript: It is advisable for you to at least listen to the musical Hamilton. And it certainly will not hurt you to become obsessed with it, even memorize it. The musical offers a fresh and catchy snapshot of the Revolutionary Era. Note: You will have to purchase your textbook and two readers. Please bring all three and your summer assignment on the first day of class. Text: Give Me Liberty! An American History, Fifth Edition, Eric Foner ISBN: 978-0-393-60341-5 Readers: Voices of Freedom, A Documentary History, Fifth Edition, Vol. 1 & 2 ISBN: 978-0-393-63103-6 and 978-0-393-63104-3 (You may buy a used copy of the fourth edition of the textbook from a former APUSH student. The differences are subtle. However, please buy the fifth edition of the readers as new documents are included.) Also, you will need a composition book and a package of highlighters that include yellow, pink, orange, green, blue, and purple.
Advice from APUSH 15-16 students: This class is very interesting and you have to work hard to succeed, but it is worth it. Work hard from the beginning because this isn t an easy A class. The class is enjoyable, but is very difficult and graded harshly. Using a prep book starting at the beginning of the year is very helpful and helps synthesize the material. This class is probably the most realistic outlook on history that I have ever received in my education. It teaches both the positive and negative aspect of U.S. history. It s a challenging class, but don t be afraid to ask questions of clarification and really put in the time and effort. It is a fun class and will make you like history more. This class helps you experience, not just the facts of history, but the emotions and feelings and viewpoints of the times we study. It was really fun and I am sad it is over. It is a lot of time and work but it is so worth it. Ms. Bowman is an excellent teacher and she really will help you understand the material. Overall, my experience in the class was good; at first it was a bit of a struggle, but I eventually got the hang of it. Make sure to keep up with the material and so some outside studying. APUSH prepared me for the final exam, but I actually learned and really like learning U.S. history in more depth. It was a great class that truly prepares you for the exam. It is a fast-paced course, but can be managed by doing individual work by yourself. It s a fun class if you are willing to put in the work outside of class. Do your homework and read if you don t feel confident in your knowledge of the chapter. It is hard and you have to be able to put in the time and effort, but it s worth taking if you can dedicate the proper time to it. If you stay organized and focused, you will be able to do great. Do not lose hope if you get a bad grade every once in a while. I loved the class and learned a lot of new info and I never once dreaded going to class. I would definitely recommend taking APUSH. Details are big on multiple choice tests so make sure you really know chapter content for those. You will be prepared for the AP test. Make sure you pay attention in class. Use Adam Norris and get a prep book. If you work hard and complete the reading, you will be successful. Read the textbook. It was challenging but helped prepare me for future courses. It was super fun and I would recommend it to anyone willing to work, even if you don t like history. Don t be scared that it is an AP; Ms. Bowman does an awesome job preparing you for the hard stuff, especially the exam. Really like history don t expect all high grades expect a lot of work learn your way of doing your best. I loved this class because the topics we covered were really interesting and the environment of the class itself is different from my other classes. Everyone has fun while learning, which is very unique.
APUSH was one of the best classes I ve ever taken at Ursuline though it s often fastpaced and challenging, you get to learn so much about U.S. history in a fun, interesting way. I highly recommend this course. It requires a lot of outside work and individual initiative. Proactivity is vital for this class, and I highly recommend it for those who love history. Actually reading the textbook does help. The class is difficult, but very fun. Pay attention and use the resources provided. It s not easy. If you don t put in effort, you re not going to do well. Don t be afraid to ask past students how to write a DBQ and LEQ. You need to take the time to understand the material outside of class. Don t expect an easy A you get what you put in. The class takes a little time to figure out, but once you do, it becomes easier. It is a very good class and you learn a lot if you pay attention and are an attentive student. The course is rigorous but you will have a more comprehensive view of American history. Read the textbook.