UCLA Center for East Asian Studies Educational Resources

Images of the United States

Description:

This unit focuses on the various perspectives that people have about America.  The views range from seeing America as the "land of opportunity" to living the reality that is often a far cry from the American Dream.  This topic is highly relevant inn my classroom because many of my students are recent immigrants to the United States and can relate to these contrasting perspectives.

This course of study integrates information from the East Asia seminar through use of excerpts from Land Without Ghost:  Chinese Impressions of America from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present.  Various selections will be used to illustrate the theme of looking at America in terms of the Dreams and realities it has to offer.  In addition, it will also serve as a point of comparison to Alexis de Tocqueville's views of America.  Furthermore, the excerpts will be used to link the speaker's experiences with those of my students.

Objectives:

1.  Students will read selections that present different perspectives of America.

2.  Students will complete graphic organizers that compare and contrast varying viewpoints.

3.  Students will create a cartoon that conveys their own personal view of America.