Arely, Gerardo, Brady, and Howard

How does the New Colusses represent the ideal thought of the American melting pot, and in what ways does it differ with Randolph Bourne's Trans-National America's view of the melting pot?

Patrick, Toi, Anna and Sunny

Do you think that Sandra Cisneros wrote "The House on Mango Street" to not only convey the complexities of growing up but also to allude to the events happening around her in the U.S., such as politics, economics or social issues. If so, explain why you think this and provide examples.

Arely, Gerardo, Brady, and Howard

Why is it that the European-English descendants were considered naturals Americans when they themselves were also immigrants? What happened to the notion of the melting pot? Is being an American exclusive for just white, English people?

Anna, Toi, Sunny, Patrick

In Desiree's Baby, there is a a sudden change in tone from happiness to unknowing. Why does Chopin have the tone change happen so abruptly? What theme might she be trying to illustrate?

Week 7 Charlie, Kevin, Steve, Justin

Compare the roles of cannibalism and slavery within the middle passage. How are they used within the story to contrast one another. How do they both contribute to the development of Rutherford Calhoun as a character?

Week 7: Brady, Gerardo, Howard, Arely

Rutherford Calhoun is a newly freed slave. How does he struggle to be seen as an "American" as opposed to an "African" like he used to be viewed?

Week 6: Kevin, Steve, Charlie, and Justin

Compare Wheatley's "On Being Brought from Africa to America" and what Benjamin Franklin said in his letter "On the Slave Trade."

Week 6: Patrick, Anna, Toi and Jisun

What would be the similarities and differences of Middle Passage if the main character was changed to that of an African-American woman? Do you think the pre-feminist time period would limit the main character's journey or would it not really make a difference?

Week 6 Hannah, Heath, Walton, Cody

De Crevecour's "Letters from an American Farmer" is said to be the first work to ask the question: "What is an American?". What does the author think an American is defined as? Is this early definition still relevant today? How did people that were born in Europe take ownership of the land and make themselves into "Americans"?

Week 6: Arely, Gerardo, Brady, and Howard

In William Apess "An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man", the 
contradiction of how White Christians treat people of color and the 
teaching of christianity are examined. How does his view of White 
christians differ from the ideas in Phillis Wheatley's "On Being 
Brought From Africa to America"?