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“BAND OF BROTHERS”
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Instructor:
Patrick Shanahan
Description:
We will read the bestseller by Stephen E. Ambrose and watch the subsequent
epic 10-part miniseries Band of Brothers which tell the story of Easy Company,
506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Drawn from interviews
with survivors of Easy Company, as well as soldiers' journals and letters, Band of
Brothers chronicles the experiences of these men who knew extraordinary
bravery and extraordinary fear.
Reviews from amazon.com:
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“Ambrose takes us along on Easy Company's trip from grueling basic training
to Utah Beach on D-day, where a dozen of them turned German cannons
into dynamited ruins resembling "half-peeled bananas," on to the Battle of
the Bulge, the liberation of part of the Dachau concentration camp, and a
large party at Hitler's "Eagle's Nest," where they drank the madman's
(surprisingly inferior) champagne.”
“Band of Brothers illustrates what one of Ambrose's sources calls "the secret
attractions of war ... the delight in comradeship, the delight in destruction ...
war as spectacle."
Some of the topics we will discuss include:
Materials:
The history of WWII in Europe
The culture of the military, particularly in times of war
The impact war has on men
-Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from
Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by Stephen Ambrose
-“Band of Brothers (HBO Mini-Series)
-Assorted articles and readings on topic
- Geographic study of the regions associated with the war on the
European Front.
Level of Difficulty:
Moderate/difficult
Objectives:
To thoroughly examine the history of American troops in WWII
To watch a riveting film about an important topic in American history
To read a great, best-selling book
To evaluate different perspectives on war
Requirements:
Attendance/Participation
Completion of assignments on time. (Both reading and reactions)
Assignments: Reading Project and Presentation
Episode Reactions
Final Reaction
World War II Reaction
Course Description
“The Pacific”
Instructor: Patrick Shanahan
Description: We will read the follow-up to the best seller “Band of Brothers” entitled “The
Pacific”, written by Hugh Ambrose and watch the HBO miniseries entitled “The Pacific”. “The
Pacific” details the intertwined lives of five members of the United States military as they embark
on a violent journey throughout various areas in the Pacific in an attempt to gain a military
advantage for allied forces over Japan.
Summary provided by amazon.com
Between America's retreat from China in late November 1941 and the moment General
MacArthur's airplane touched down on the Japanese mainland in August of 1945, five men
connected by happenstance fought the key battles of the war against Japan. From the debacle
in Bataan, to the miracle at Midway and the relentless vortex of Guadalcanal, their solemn oaths
to their country later led one to the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot and the others to the coral
strongholds of Peleliu, the black terraces of Iwo Jima and the killing fields of Okinawa, until at
last the survivors enjoyed a triumphant, yet uneasy, return home.
In The Pacific, Hugh Ambrose focuses on the real-life stories of the five men who put their lives
on the line for our country. To deepen the story revealed in the miniseries and go beyond it, the
book dares to chart a great ocean of enmity known as The Pacific and the brave men who
fought. Some considered war a profession, others enlisted as citizen soldiers. Each man served
in a different part of the war, but their respective duties required every ounce of their courage
and their strength to defeat an enemy who preferred suicide to surrender. The medals for valor
which were pinned on three of them came at a shocking price-a price paid in full by all.
Materials:
“The Pacific” - Hugh Ambrose (We will read the entire book)
“The Pacific”- HBO Miniseries
Assorted Related articles.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Objectives:
To thoroughly examine the history of American troops in WWII
To watch a riveting film about an important topic in American history
To read a great, best-selling book
To evaluate different perspectives on war
Band of Brothers
Course Syllabus
Class 1: Introduction to the course: Review of syllabus, World War II discussion. Start of
Episode One
Class 2: Assignment of reading tasks and project assignment as well as assignment discussion.
Completion of Episode 1, start of Episode two
Course 3: Review of course assignments. Complete Episode 2: Episode 2 response due.
Course 4: Episode 3: Discussion: Anti-Japanese Propaganda: Impact of Race in war.
Course 5: Episode 3-4: Group One Presentation and Discussion.
Course 6: Episode 4
Course 7: Episode 4-5 Review of American movement throughout Asia.
Course 8: Episode 5: Group 2 Presentation and discussion” Episode 4 Response due.
Course 9: Episode 6: Class discussion: What is happening throughout the world during the
War?
Course 10: Episode 6-7/ Group 2 Presentation
Course 11: Episode 7-8
Course 12: Episode 8 / Group 3 Presentation
Course 13: Episode 9
Course 14: Completion of series: Completion of Movie Reaction: Course discussion, final
reaction due.
Assignments:
Group Reading and discussion: After School Meeting for presentation and
in class discussion.
Episode Reactions
Summary of the War in the Pacific: 3 Page Reaction.
World War II Survey
Directions: Answer each of these questions to the best of your ability
based on your current knowledge.
1) What do you believe were some of the causes of World War II?
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2) What were some of the countries on the side of the allies?
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3) What were some of the countries on the side of the axis powers?
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4) What were some of the reasons for the United States entry into World
War II?
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5) How did the treatment of Germany after WWI help contribute to the start
of WWII?
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6) Who were some of the leaders of various countries during WWII?
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7) What years did the war take place?
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8) How many people do you believe died during World War II (Estimate)
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9) What are you most excited about in being a part of this class?
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