2015 Creativity Project Objective: The closure activity/project for APUSH provides each student with an opportunity to reflect on the course, create something original, and contribute something to the art of history. Guidelines are purposefully general, as students are expected to use their own interests, style, perspective, and skill to create their product. Tangible projects will be gathered and displayed in a gallery walk. Digital products will be gathered and displayed on the website. Directions: 1. Choose a topic, first come first served. Some are individual only, some open to pairs, and some are open to groups of 3 or 4. No group may exceed 4. See list for details. 2. Choose to create either a tangible or a digital product one each per topic. 3. Turn in this page with names and topic recorded below with your product. Assessment: This final project is worth a major grade. Points will be deducted for not using class time wisely, and late projects will receive a grade no higher than a 60. Plagiarized projects will receive a zero. APUSH Final Project Rubric Name(s): Project Topic and Style : Essential Elements Product Effectiveness Creative expression thoughtfully communicated (25) Neatly designed, logical format, & easy to understand (5) Well organized with consideration of message, chronology, & significance (5) Easy to read or interpret; concise and user-friendly (5) Colorful (or purposefully without color) with Graphics relevant to topic, message, & era (5) Effective us of space (no dead space) (5) Historical Significance of Topic or Theme Factually relevant and accurate for content outline, topic(s), task, and/or era(s) (30) Historical analysis evident (change over time, causation, periodization, comparison, synthesis, making inferences, etc. the skill that relates to the project/topic) (20) Class time will be allotted from May 11 th through May 22 nd. Students should bring relevant materials to class so that research and production is ongoing. Effective Use of Time 10 points will be deducted for each unproductive day Points Possible 50 50 Possible deductions Total Points 100 Points Earned FYI. BOOK CLUB: 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America by Steven M. Gillon For the final creativity project, students who have purchased and read this book have the bonus option of using the book and the 10 events as their inspiration for their project. This option is worth an additional 10 points on the creativity project grade. DUE DATE: May 22 nd If turned in on May 26 th, the highest grade possible is 60 points. No projects will be accepted past May 26 th!
Topics/Choices For INDIVIDUAL Projects 1. Top Fifteen Most Influential American Inventions educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of American innovation. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Do not include inventions relating to warfare. 2. Innovation and Warfare Over Time educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of American innovation regarding warfare. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Include at least 15 items. 3. Top Fifteen Most Influential WOMEN in American History 4. Top Fifteen Most Influential MEN in American History (other than presidents) 5. Top Fifteen Most Influential Presidents in American History ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED (6 Presidents are explicit, the remaining 4 are for you to assess)! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own 6. Top Fifteen Memorable Athletes in American History 7. Memorable American Artists Political Cartoonists or Painters This product should include a minimum of 10 artists/styles that span early 19 th century (beginning of truly American culture/style) to modern times. You may focus on either political cartoonists or painters. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own 8. Memorable American Architects This product should include a minimum of 10 architects/structures that span early 19 th century (beginning of truly American style) to modern times. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own 9. Memorable Moments in American Medicine This product should include a minimum of 10 innovations/advancements in American medicine from colonization to modern times. This product does not need to be balanced chronologically, as most of your focus will likely be in the last century. 10. That Movie Moved Me! (if you have completed a Movie Night Extra Credit project this year, you may not choose the same movie as your project) Analyze the motion picture which depicts a major historical event or era in U.S. history and let it INSPIRE you. Create a work of art that illustrates the story as well as the actual historical event/era/theme. This piece should communicate some sort of critique of the film as well as the event/theme/era. Summarize the historical significance of the film and its portrayed events as a caption to accompany the work of art (or incorporate it into the piece). Movie Choices Include: Dances With Wolves, Iron Jawed Angels, Forest Gump, Back to the Future, The Help, Selma, Grapes of Wrath, The Butler, Lincoln, The Patriot, 12 Years a Slave, Unbroken, Fury, October Sky, Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Saving Private Ryan, Glory, The Crucible, Amistad, Gettysburg, Fort Apache, Hester Street, Fat Man and Little Boy, The Right Stuff, Dr. Strangelove, Red Tails, JFK, Midway, Remember the Titans, 13 Days, All the Presidents Men Another idea? Ask your teacher!
Topics/Choices For INDIVIDUAL Projects Continued 11. Then and Now Comparing Two (or up to 4 to show change over time) Choose two people, events, trends, etc. that relate in one way or another. Choose one from before 1860 and one after. Create a work of art illustrating the significant information of each as well as they compare. Your two choices do not have to be explicit in the outline, but they should relate to a relevant theme in history. Choices may include: Hispanic Americans, Women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Wars, Court Decisions, Acts of Congress, Political Parties, Inventors or Inventions, Fashion, Education, Law Another idea? Ask your teacher! 12. American Music & Art a. THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE & the JAZZ Age This product should include an in depth analysis of American culture in the 1920s as illustrated by the music, art, conflict, and influence of jazz and the Harlem Renaissance ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of this movement. Consider theme, skills, and your own b. TIN PAN ALLEY This creativity product should include an in depth analysis of modern American culture as it began in the 1920s as illustrated by the development and influence of Tin Pan Alley. Consult TEKS for explicit reference to this topic in the curriculum. Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or cultural significance this genre. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. c. WOODSTOCK This product should include an in depth analysis of American counterculture in the post-wwii era as illustrated by the music, behaviors, etc. at Woodstock. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own d. ROCK AND ROLL This product should include an in depth analysis of American culture in the post-wwii era as illustrated by the development and influence of Rock and Roll. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own e. HIP HOP This creativity product should include an in depth analysis of American culture in the modern era as illustrated by the development and influence of Hip Hop music. Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or cultural significance this genre. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. f. COUNTRY AND WESTERN This creativity product should include an in depth analysis of American culture in the modern era as illustrated by the development and influence of Country and Western music. Consult TEKS for explicit reference to this topic in the curriculum. Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or cultural significance this genre. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. g. RAP This creativity product should include an in depth analysis of American culture in the modern era as illustrated by the development and influence of Rap music. Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or cultural significance this genre. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. 13. Love those explicit terms Let a term or phrase inspire you create a work of art which celebrates or critiques one of those pesky words or phrases in the content outline. For example, Manifest Destiny or Conspicuous Consumption. Flip through the outline and see which words stand out and inspire you. Other popular choices include: Revolution, Renaissance, Pearl Harbor, Cinema, Civil Rights, New Deal, American Indians, Great Society, Americanization, Bellicose, Worldview, Patterns of Development the options are endless. 14. Video Games Analyze the setting, theme, characters of a video game which depicts a major historical event or era in U.S. history and let it INSPIRE you. Create a work of art that illustrates the story as well as the actual historical event/era/theme. For Example, Assassins Creed Revolution features Connor, half American Indian/half European, who interacts with George Washington and others during the American Revolution. The story unfolds not as expected, what is significant about the plot-line? (think historiography). Summarize the historical significance of portrayed events as a caption to accompany the work of art (or incorporate it into the piece).
Topics/Choices For INDIVIDUAL Projects Continued 15. Super Heroes and Super Villains Analyze a collection of 10 or more super heroes and super villains created by American artists and writers which were inspired by Americans or American history. For example, Cold War inspired many characters representing American exceptionalism and Soviet evil. Create a work of art or educational product that explains and/or illustrates the historical significance of your collection. Consider course content, themes, as well as historiography. Topics/Choices for Partners (a pair or individual) 1. Modern American Fashion in U.S. History Consider American fashion beginning with the 1920s through modern times. You should have a healthy collection representing clothing, accessories, make-up, and hairstyles that represent significant cultural conflicts, developments, or trends. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and over all topic. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. 2. And the Oscar Goes To. Explain and illustrate the historical significance of films winning Best Picture (The Academy Awards). Your focus is on the most influential films and what they reflect about American society at the time of their release as well as what impact they had. Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting Best Pictures to history. So this is more than describing movies. 3. The History of American film. Explain and illustrate the historical significance of film that shows change over time. Your focus is on the evolution of film in general. Consider innovation, audience, cultural impact, etc. Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting the movies and cinema to history. So this is more than describing the evolution of modern film. 4. Collegiate Sports Teams with American Indian Mascots Research the past and present names and/or mascots of major American university sports teams and create a work of art which effectively explains and illustrates the historical significance of each. For example, what is the significance of the Florida State University Seminoles? Who are the actual Seminoles? Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting sports teams to history. So this is more than describing sports teams. 5. NHL team names and mascots Research the origin of NHL mascots and create a work of art which effectively explains and illustrates the historical significance of each. For example, why are the Chicago Blackhawks named the Blackhawks and what is historically significant about that and the team s location? Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting sports teams to history. So this is more than describing sports teams. 6. MLS team names and mascots Research the origin of MLS mascots and create a work of art which effectively explains and illustrates the historical significance of each. For example, why are the New England Revolution named the Revolution and what is historically significant about that and the team s location? Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting sports teams to history. So this is more than describing sports teams. 7. MLB team names and mascots Research the origin of MLB mascots and create a work of art which effectively explains and illustrates the historical significance of each. For example, why are the Texas Rangers named the Rangers and what is historically significant about actual Texas rangers? Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting sports teams to history. So this is more than describing sports teams. 8. NFL team names mascots Research the origin of NFL mascots and create a work of art that effectively explains/ illustrates the historical significance of each. For example, why the Washington Redskins are called Redskins and what is historically significant about Redskins? Consider relevant era, theme, and events in history that relate to each. You are connecting sports teams to history. So this is more than describing sports teams.
Topics/Choices for Partners (a pair or individual) Continued 9. American Sports Memorable Moments Create an original list of criteria to help identify the most significant moments in American sports, choose qualifying events, and then rank them. Choose events within the United States that span 18 th -20 th centuries. Formatting is completely up to the student, but basic information such as pictures, era, definition, purpose, impact, as well as images is important. Other information on the era, the origin of the game, impact on society, etc. For example, if you choose the 1980 Olympic Hockey game between the USA and USSR you would want to include more than the score. You are connecting sports moments to history. 10. American Music over Time This product should include a minimum of 10 artists/styles that span early 19 th century to modern times. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective! 11. American Musicals over Time This product should include a minimum of 10 musicals that span early 19 th century to modern times. Create a work of art or 12. Radio in American History Consider American radio beginning with the 1920s through modern times. You should have a healthy collection a wide range of topics, themes, etc.. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and the overall topic. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. 13. Television in American History Consider American television shows beginning with the early the 1950s through modern times. You should have a healthy collection representing a wide range of topics, themes, conflicts, etc. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE and/or significance of each item and the overall topic. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. 14. Literature in American History Consider American novels beginning with the early 19 th century through modern times. You should have a healthy collection representing all eras from the 18 th century to the 20 th. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. 15. Propaganda in American History Consider political cartoons beginning with Benjamin Franklin s Join or Die through WWII propaganda. You should have a healthy collection representing all eras from the 18 th century to the 20 th. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own 16. Transformation of communication from the first American printing press & newspaper to wireless communication & Internet The list should have a minimum of 10 items, and ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own 17. Transformation of American Transportation from the Susan Constant to Space Shuttle Columbia. The list should have a minimum of 10 items, and ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item. Consider theme, skills, and your own
Topics/Choices for Groups of 3 or 4 (or individual or pair if you prefer) 1. Melting Pot! Create an original work of art illustrating and reviewing the changing waves of immigration, immigration policy, and diversity in U.S. history. Consider chronology in your design and be sure your product communicates an analytical evaluation of the melting pot metaphor. Above all be creative! ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 2. Religion in American History Consider religious groups, events, and conflicts beginning with the colonies through modern times. You should have a healthy collection representing significant influence, conflicts, developments, or trends. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT ON THE and/or significance of each item and the overall topic. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 3. The Law in U.S. History Consider American law beginning with the Constitution through modern times. You should have a healthy collection representing Congressional legislation, Supreme Court decisions, Constitutional Amendments, and other state and local laws which illustrate significant conflicts, developments, or trends. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE and/or significance of each item and over all topics. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 4. Money Money Money in American History Create an original work of art illustrating and reviewing the U.S. currency, tax and tariff laws, trade agreements, etc. Consider chronology and be sure to include major events/items from Colonial Era through Federal Reserve Act. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and the overall topic. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 5. Rebellions Then and Now Create a work of art illustrating and comparing United States rebellions. Include major riots and strikes and be sure your collection spans U.S. history from colonies to modern times. Each rebellion must be paired with another of similar theme. For example, you can pair Nat Turner s Rebellion with the Rodney King (LA RIOT) riot. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and pairing. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 6. American Dream Create an original work of art illustrating and celebrating (or critiquing) the evolution of American Dream from colonization to modern times. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and pairing. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. 7. American Exceptionalism Create an original work of art illustrating and celebrating (or critiquing) the evolution of American Exceptionalism from City Upon a Hill to the post 9-11 Bush Doctrine. ALL ITEMS EXPLICIT and/or IMPLIED ON THE CONTENT OUTLINE MUST BE INCLUDED! Create a work of art or educational product that communicates the impact and/or significance of each item and pairing. Consider theme, skills, and your own creative perspective. Because this choice is expansive, a group up to 4 can work collaboratively on it. This concludes the list of topics/options. If you have an idea for an additional topic, see Mrs. Richardson!