Assignments for the America Divided Unit Study

The challenges facing American democracy today demand more than passive observation—they require your active engagement as informed citizens capable of meaningful action. You represent a generation that will inherit the consequences of current divisions and must therefore become equipped not just to understand these complex issues, but to help heal the fractures that threaten our democratic fabric. The curriculum you’ve just completed reveals how America reached this crossroads through decades of social, economic, and political transformation. Now it’s time to move from understanding to action, from analysis to engagement, from studying democracy to practicing it.

Assignment 1: Letters Across the Divide

Write two substantive letters (800-1000 words each) addressing America’s current divisions, but approaching them from different perspectives:

Letter A: To a Congressional Representative

Draft a formal letter to your congressional representative proposing specific, concrete solutions to bridge America’s divisions. Your letter should:

– Reference specific examples from the curriculum about how divisions developed
– Propose at least three actionable policy solutions that could help restore democratic norms and community connections
– Address both the economic and cultural dimensions of America’s fragmentation
– Demonstrate understanding of how your representative’s political position might influence their response
– Include specific requests for action, not just general concerns

Letter B: To a Historical Figure
Write a letter to a historical figure from the curriculum (such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader from the National Era, or a founding father) asking for their perspective on current American challenges. Your letter should:

– Explain current divisions in terms they would understand, drawing parallels to their era
– Ask specific questions about how they might approach today’s problems
– Reflect on how their methods and principles might apply to contemporary issues
– Consider what they might say about the collapse of consensus and community
– Demonstrate deep understanding of both their historical context and our current moment

Assignment 2: Democracy in Action Toolkit

Create a comprehensive “Democracy Toolkit” that other teenagers could use to actively strengthen democratic participation in their communities. Your toolkit should include:

Section 1: Community Mapping Exercise

Develop a step-by-step guide for peers to map the health of democracy in their own communities by:

– Identifying local institutions that bring diverse people together (or noting their absence)
– Assessing the quality of public discourse in local settings
– Documenting examples of successful bridge-building across differences
– Creating visual representations (charts, maps, or infographics) showing patterns of division or connection

Section 2: Bridge-Building Action Plan

Design three specific projects that teenagers could implement to help bridge divides in their communities:

– One project focused on face-to-face community building (addressing the virtual vs. real connection crisis)
– One project addressing economic divisions (helping people understand shared economic interests)
– One project creating spaces for constructive political dialogue across differences

Each project plan should include specific steps, required resources, potential challenges, and measures of success.

Section 3: Democratic Skills Development

Create practical exercises that help peers develop essential democratic capabilities:

– Listening across difference without trying to convince
– Finding common ground with people who hold different values
– Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information sources
– Engaging in public discourse constructively rather than destructively

Your toolkit should be practical, realistic for teenage implementation, and grounded in the historical lessons from your curriculum about what has worked and failed in American democracy.

Assignment 3: The Future We Choose – Documentary Project

Create a 10-15 minute video documentary titled “The Future We Choose: Young Americans Respond to Democratic Crisis.” This project should:

Tell the Story

– Begin with a clear explanation of how America reached this crossroads, using key insights from your curriculum
– Interview at least 3-5 peers about their views on America’s divisions and democratic future
– Include diverse perspectives, not just people who agree with you

Propose Solutions

– Feature young people taking concrete action to strengthen democracy in their communities
– Highlight examples of successful bridge-building, community restoration, or democratic participation
– Show, don’t just tell, what democratic renewal looks like in practice

Call to Action

– End with a compelling call for other young Americans to engage actively in democratic renewal
– Provide specific, actionable steps viewers can take immediately
– Connect individual actions to the larger historical moment and its significance

Technical Requirements:

– Use footage, interviews, historical images, and graphics to maintain visual interest
– Include captions for accessibility
– Provide source citations for any historical claims or statistics
– Upload to a platform where peers can view and respond

The documentary should demonstrate sophisticated understanding of the historical forces that created current divisions while maintaining hope and agency about the possibility for positive change. Remember that the most powerful documentaries combine serious analysis with inspiring vision—they help people understand both the magnitude of challenges and the real possibilities for overcoming them.

Evaluation Criteria for All Assignments:

– Demonstrates deep understanding of historical patterns and their contemporary relevance
– Shows evidence of critical thinking about complex problems rather than simple answers
– Proposes realistic, actionable solutions rather than vague idealism
– Exhibits genuine civic engagement and personal responsibility for democratic outcomes
– Communicates effectively to influence others toward constructive action

These assignments challenge you to move beyond being passive consumers of political information toward becoming active agents of democratic renewal. The stakes could not be higher—the health of American democracy for your generation and beyond may well depend on citizens like you who refuse to accept division as inevitable and instead commit yourselves to the patient work of democratic repair and renewal.