Unit 3 Project: Reconstructing a Narrative

African American History Ms. M

I. Introduction
Filmmakers, historians, authors, artists - all have to make choices when constructing a narrative from or based on historical events. In fictional (films, novels, poems, songs) and non-fictional contexts (textbooks, timelines, documentaries, photographs), choices have to be made about events are important and need to be remembered. Furthermore, every narrative has a purpose for which it is told, which influences what is told and how it is told. The PBS documentary intended to showcase the resilience of those enslaved, and so it focused on cases in which slaves made attempts to escape or survived the cruelties of slaveholders. The excerpt of Equianos account was written to expose the inhumane conditions of the Middle Passage. Newtons journal entries had no intended audience; however, his position as a ship captain was represented by his interpretation of the slave rebellions as troublesome.

II. Overview
For this project, I want you to choose a topic from the list of selections. All topics relate to various aspects of the life of slave as well as slaveholders. You will be researching your topic by reading the assigned chapters for your topic. The chapters are from the narratives of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs and Solomon Northup - all of whom were enslaved at some point during the course of their lives. After you have done your research, you will construct your own narrative about one aspect of your topic that most interested you and that you believe needs to be remembered in the 21st century when we reflect back on this time in American history. The idea is that you focus on what is most salient to you. In terms of how you are going to present your narrative - you can pick any medium that you are comfortable with. Skys the limit. We will work on class in reflecting on how you feel most comfortable expressing yourself and utilizing that in your project.

III. Process

Step One: Conduct research online on the lives of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs, and Solomon Northup. From your findings, construct a timeline for each individual. Each timeline will feature ten key events. Due: Tuesday December 3, 2013, 11:59 p.m. - on Canvas or hard copy Step Two: Choose a topic from the list of selections. Decide what medium (oral, written, visual) you will be using to construct your narrative. Due: Thursday, December 5, 2013, 11:59 p.m. - on Canvas Step Three: Read one of the assigned chapters for your topic. Take notes in the form of the two column chart (Observations and Conclusions.) Due: Friday, December 6, 2013, 11:59 p.m. - on Canvas or as a hard copy Step Four: Read the remaining assigned chapters for your topic. Take notes for each chapter in the form of the two column chart. Select one passage from your assigned readings that most interests you and write a paragraph explaining why this particular passage was significant/interesting. Due: Monday, December 9, 2013, 11:59 p.m. - on Canvas or as a hard copy Step Five: Write a proposal of what your narrative is going to be about and how you are going to deliver your narrative. Also, construct a plan of how you are going to use your remaining time to construct this narrative. Due: Tuesday, December 10, 2013, 11:59 p.m. - on Canvas or as a hard copy Step Seven: Conference with Ms. M about your project proposal and plan. I will be available any day during lunch on the week of December 9th to meet with you and discuss your project. You must conference with me. It will count as part of your participation grade. Step Eight: Work on your narrative. *********It will be due Friday, December 20, 2013 by the end of the school day.*********

IV. Supports
I am here every step of the way to answer questions, look over your work, and talk about your project. I am here everyday during lunch. Unfortunately, I cant stay after school right now,

because I have to rush off to go be a student in classes once Im done here. However, you can email me or message me on Canvas regarding any concerns/questions you have about the project. When asking for help, it is best to e-mail/message/speak to me as soon as you realize that you have a question. I would rather you send me a slew of emails than to send me a last-minute panicking e-mail about all the questions and concerns you have.

V. Readings:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23h.htm#link2HCH0001 Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (Harriet Ann Jacobs): http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/jacobs/jacobs.html Twelve Years a Slave (Solomon Northup): http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/northup/northup.html

VI. Possible Topics:

Revised Topics - Assigned Chapters Find your topic. Read the chapters that are bolded and take notes in the form of the two column chart. womanhood Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter Five - The Trials of Girlhood Chapter Six - The Jealous Mistress Chapter Ten - A Perilous Passage in the Slave Girls Life religion Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter Thirteen - The Church and Slavery Frederick Douglass Chapter Nine 4th paragraph of Chapter Ten Appendix being sold Harriet Ann Jacob Chapter Three - The Slave New Years Day Frederick Douglass Chapter Eight Solomon Northup

Chapter Six

escape Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter Seventeen - The Flight Frederick Douglass Chapter Eleven Solomon Northup Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty-One (For this topic, you must read Northups Chapter Twenty-One plus another chapter of your choice from the listed selection.) resistance Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter Four - The Slave Who Dared Feel Like A Man Solomon Northup Chapter Eight slaveholders Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter 2, pg. 17-18 Chapter Eight - What Slaves Are Taught to Think of the North Frederick Douglass Chapter Six Solomon Northup Chapter Seven, pg. 89-90, pg. 97-98 Chapter Eight, pg. 105-108 Chapter Twelve, pg. 162-163 Chapter Thirteen, pg. 176-178, pg. 180-184 living free in the North Harriet Ann Jacobs Chapter Thirty-Three - A Home Found Chapter Thirty-Five - Prejudice Against Color Frederick Douglas Chapter Eleven, 6th paragraph to the end of the chapter Solomon Northup Chapter One