American Studies: United States Monument or Memorial
As we have discussed this semester, monuments and memorials are, among other things, expressions of our national identity. This paper will take as its topic one memorial or monument found in the United States, either local or not. You can choose something that memorializes a person (e.g., a president, a martyr) or an event (e.g., a war, a terrorist attack).
This is a research paper that will address specific thematic topics discussed in class and your readings. It is critical for you to articulate an understanding of the literature from the syllabus to contextualize your topic. You may, of course, incorporate other sources you use to make your case. You will need to describe your topic (where it is, who designed it, when it was erected, etc.)
After discussing the readings you plan to use, you should explain how this theory will help the reader to make sense of the topic you chose. Then, you should discuss the topic itself and its role as an expression of American-ness.
Using the literature from class, discuss this topic’s narrative considering questions such as: what is the story being told? How does the memorial or monument you chose express the topics we examined in class, such as Sacred Space, Collective Memory, and/or American Identity? Does the surrounding area contribute or diminish the site’s narrative? Was this a controversial monument? What are the components of this monument (what are the cultural materials that makes up this site)? How is the site presented to various audiences? Are specific audiences targeted more than others?
Your essay should be between 5 and 7 typed pages. Feel free to include a picture.(does not count as page)
Works Cited does not count as a page either
This class is designed to promote the analytical study of American culture and not whether you personally think something is right or wrong, good or bad, etc.
Please use proper citation for your paper. This includes, but is not limited to, quotations, footnotes, a bibliography, and giving credit to ideas not your own. I prefer MLA.
Again, if you have questions, please contact me
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