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Summer Reading Assignment

American Studies 2012-2013

Mr. Timothy J. Babb and Ms. Cathy L. Parsons

All students will read the following novel:

The Killer Angelsby Michael ShaaraIn addition, all students will choose and read ONE of the following:

March by Geraldine Brooks

The Known Worldby Edward P. Jones

Due Dates: On the second day of school, a test will be given on the required novel, The Killer

Angels, and the choice novel (eitherMarch orThe Known World). On this same date, thesummer work will be collected. Each student will have two essaysone on each novel read.

***To familiarize you with the novels and to help you choose between the choice novels, we asked 2009-2010

American Studies students to work in groups and compile thoughts and information about the books. Their

reactions and ideas follow:

RequiredThe Killer Angelsfollows the course of the battle of Gettysburg from the perspective of various Union and

Confederate leaders. This book is enjoyable because it is filled with vivid detail and accurate descriptions.Even if you are not a huge fan of battle novels, the book appeals to various interests. It is steeped in

historical context and makes the war personal fro the reader. However, for those people who are military

buffs, the book also provides an insight into the minds of some of the greatest tacticians of the Civil War:

James Longstreet, Joshua Chamberlain, and Robert E. Lee. As a whole, the book examines the honor of

war, but also the reality of the battlefield.

Choice Novels (Pick One)March is a story about the father from the novelLittle Women. InMarch, you see the effects of the war and

the effects of slavery. The story deals with the issue of courage and uses the perspective of both Mr. March

and Mrs. March. Mr. March is a chaplain in the Civil War and often deals with the issue of racialprejudice. Famous historical characters appearing in this novel are John Brown and Henry David Thoreau.

This book is also good for building vocabulary!

The Known Worldis a tremendously profound novel about the lives of a group of fictional characters in

Virginia during the pre-Civil War era. The novel primarily focuses on Henry Townsend, a black man who

becomes a slave owner. The format of the book consists of several separate stories that follow Townsendsslave in their daily lives. The novels picturesque imagery, unusual topics, and enticing compilation make

it both a readable and memorable work.

***

Each year in American Studies connections are made between literature and historical events

through a series of themes. The twelve that follow are the generally accepted of U.S. history and

will be used throughout the year to develop critical thinking. Choose ONE of the twelve themesfor EACH summer reading novel and develop an essay of between 800 and 1000 words that

explores how this novel addresses your chosen theme. Choosing more than one theme for a novel

will result in a failing grade.

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Themes in AP US History

American Diversity

The diversity of the American people and the relationships among different groups. The roles of race, class, ethnicity, andgender in the history of the United States.

American Identity

Views of the national character and ideas about American exceptionalism. Recognizing regional differences within thecontext of what it means to be an American

Culture

Diverse individual and collective expressions through literature, art, philosophy, music, theater, and film throughout USHistory. Popular culture and the dimensions of cultural conflict within American society.

Demographic Changes

Changes in birth, marriage, and death rates; life expectancy and family patterns; population size and density. Theeconomic, social, and political effects of immigration, internal migration, and migration networks.

Economic Transformations

Changes in trade, commerce, and technology across time. The effects of capitalist development, labor and unions, andconsumerism.

Environment

Ideas about the consumption and conservation of natural resources. The impact of population growth, industrialization,pollution, and urban and suburban expansion.

Globalization

Engagement with the rest of the world from the fifteenth century to the present: colonialism, mercantilism, globalhegemony, development of markets, imperialism, cultural exchange.

Politics and Citizenship

Colonial and revolutionary legacies, American political traditions, growth of democracy, and the development of themodern state.

Reform

Diverse movements focusing on a broad range of issues, including anti-slavery, education, labor, temperance, womensrights, civil rights, gay rights, war, public health, and government.

Religion

The variety of religious beliefs and practices in America from prehistory to the twenty-first century; influence of religionon politics, economics, and society.

Slavery and Its Legacies in North America

Systems of slave labor and other forms of un-free labor (e.g. indentured servitude, contract labor) in Native Americansocieties, the Atlantic World, and the American South and West. The economics of slavery and its racial dimensions.Patterns of resistance and the long-term economic, political, and social effects of slavery.

War and Diplomacy

Armed conflict from the pre-colonial period to the 21st century; impact of war on American foreign policy and on politics,economy, and society.

Your strong essay will include

a clear introduction that specifies the chosen theme and the chosen book

a thesis statement that makes an interesting claim about the theme as it relates to the book

excellent support for your claim

a correct MLA heading and internal citations when needed (no Works Cited needed)

controlled organization and strong well-crafted writing