American Studies Final Project
Over the course of this semester, we have covered nearly 100 years of American history. A lot can happen in 100 years; ideas are turned into inventions and innovations, new leaders are elected, wars are waged, battles are fought, court cases are won and lost, laws are passed, constitutional amendments are passed, the business cycle rises and falls… you get the idea. The question becomes which decade you learned about this semester has had the MOST SIGNIFICANT LASTING IMPACT on our society, government, and/or economy here in the United States or on world history? For this final project, you will get the chance not only to decide what YOU think is the most significant decade we’ve studied this semester but also to show how much you’ve learned along the way.
Directions:
1. Students will choose a decade from the 1900s to the 2000s.
2. Each project should include information on the following:
A) Fashion/Clothing/Hairstyles (men and women)
B) Music
C) Entertainment/Recreation/Leisure
D) Values (Culture, what was important, slang, etc.)
E) Politics
F) Economy
G) Inventions, technology
3. This project should provide the audience with an overall idea of what happened during that decade and what it would be like to live during that time.
4. After researching the topic, you will create a PowerPoint presentation. You should have one slide for each of the categories listed above (A-G).
5. The presentation should give the impression of what it is like to have lived in the period.
Project requirements:
1. The presentation must be in PowerPoint format.
2. Thorough information provided about the chosen decade (at least 3 bullets per slide). DO NOT use complete sentences!
3. All slides have a title and an image.
4. 2 slides for each category listed above (A-G)
5. At least one image per slide (cited in your bibliography).
6. Use at least 5 different sources (listed in your bibliography). Use the Cocalico High School library website!
7. Need to include an APA/MLA formatted bibliography.
Research and Data Guide (remember to use at least 5 sources)
1. Fashion
A) What type of clothing was popular during that time?
B) Popular accessories?
C) Popular hairstyles?
D) Make sure to illustrate difference between men and women and also social classes
2. Music
A) What type music was popular during that time period?
B) What musicians were popular?
3. Recreation/Leisure
A) What venue was used for entertainment? (movies, music, television, sports, etc.)
B) Popular activities (dances, games)
4. Politics
A) Who were the presidents during the decade?
B) Any political events? (scandals, major laws, major changes in policy)
C) Any wars/armed conflicts?
5. Economy
A) How was the economy at the time?
B) What are some practical examples of the national trends in economics (shortages, advertising, products, etc.?
6. Values/culture
A) What was important to the American people during that time?
B) Were there any movements or revolutions during that time?
C) Were there any popular sayings or slang terms?
7. Inventions/Technology
A) Were there any important/influential inventions developed during your decade?
B) How did the inventions impact the American people?
