American+Interview+Project

[|Google Earth Database 2009-2010.kmz]

The database below has been updated as of 9/14/09, and contains about 15 more interviews:

September 2009 **
 * English 363: American Myths and Realities

** What Do We Believe? American Ideals and Attitudes Interview Project ** a s we begin our examination of the myths and ideals that underlie this country, it will be helpful to conduct some research and find out how people from a range of backgrounds regard America and the American idea. To this end, each of you will complete the following steps:

1. Each student will conduct two (2) separate interviews. Interviewers must record the answers using writing, audio, or video; however, interviews must be recorded in full. Interview questions will be generated in class, and posted here once they are official:


 * A. If you could change one thing about America, what would it be and why?

B. When were you most proud to be an American? The least proud? (And why?)

C. How has America changed since you have been born? (For better and/or for worse?)

D. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of America and why?**

2. Student interviewers must record pertinent demographic backgrounds of the interviewees. Since our goal is to get answers from as diverse of a cross-section as possible, it is crucial that you find respondents from as many of the different categories as possible, and record this information in an interview log:

· Age · Gender · Race · Occupation · <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Location ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Political affiliation ·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">How long the person has lived in America

<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Once the initial steps have been completed, students will post responses on Google Earth. Therefore, interviews must be in digital form: typed interviews in Microsoft Word, videos uploaded to YouTube, and photos uploaded to flickr.com. I’d love to have photos of the interviewee included with typed interviews.

Interviews are due on September 9, 2009. During class this day, you will receive training on how to use Google Earth. You will also be in the computer lab on September 10 to complete the posting of your interviews. You may conduct a third interview for extra credit.

Handouts:


media type="youtube" key="SMrVW84-lKM" height="344" width="425"

Helpful Links:
[|PBS: Deepening the American Dream] [|YouTube] [|Gcast (Audio Hosting Website, like Evoca)]