These curriculum ideas are starting points to bring the Amistad into your classroom. We have developed three types of curriculum material:
Fast access,
Traditional curriculum, and
Alternative approaches.
1) Fast Access. For those of you interested in quick access to teaching ideas that
can be applied in the classroom in one or two classroom periods.
Combining the History Classroom and the Computer Lab, an introduction to utilizing this web site for research purposes.
The Internet, Exploring Amistad, and Primary Documents
An Introduction to the Amistad Revolt, developed by the Connecticut Historical Society.
2) Traditional Curriculum Areas. With a specific curriculum area in mind, these pieces are "road maps" that will lead you through the "ExploringAmistad " digital library. Specifically:
The Amistad as a Diplomatic Incident
The Amistad Incident in Maritime History
Abolition and the Amistad Incident
A Scientific Approach to the Amistad Incident
Courtesey of Professor Scott French at the University of Virginia:
"The Making of a People: History, Memory, and African American Identity" --Week Three of his syllabus is devoted to the Amistad.
3) Alternative approaches. Ways in which the Amistad incident can be explored in a variety of classroom settings.
Amistad Mock Trials, examine the District Court Case, Circuit Court Case, or the U.S. Supreme Court Case.
Amistad as a Campaign Issue, opportunities for debates and roleplaying.
