π»ππ πͺπππππππ | Summer Camp for Script Reading & Discussion
In this camp we will read and discuss Arthur Miller's four-act 1953 play π»ππ πͺπππππππ while learning more about the Puritans, the Witch Trials, and McCarthyism and analyzing the work through anti-racist and feminist lenses.
Beth Foster | Humanities Educator
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(349)
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What's included
5 live meetings
6 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
In this camp we will read and discuss Arthur Miller's four-act play π»ππ πͺπππππππ while learning more about the Puritans, the Salem Witch Trials, and McCarthyism. We will analyze Miller's depiction of women and the sole character of color, Tituba, through feminist and anti-racist lenses. π»ππ πͺπππππππ is a fictionalized dramatization of the historical Massachusetts witch trials of 1692-1693. Written in 1953, the play is an allegory for what was happening in the early 1950s in the United States. Led by Joseph McCarthy, the U.S. Senate held hearings to out and blacklist known communists living and working in the United States -- a metaphorical "witch hunt." We will discuss both the historical witch trials, McCarthyism, and then think about how fear is still used as a tool to drive people to turn on neighbors and friends and to scapegoat marginalized and vulnerable communities. Learners will be encouraged to consider current events that might echo the events of 1692 and the 1950s. Day 1: The first day will be lecture and discussion with an introduction of the play, Puritans and Puritan culture, the Salem Witch Trials, and McCarthyism, as well as examining the play through anti-racist and feminist lenses. We will also do casting with learners choosing the roles they will read. If more than one learner wants the same role, we will guess numbers to determine who gets the role. Learners will be encouraged to create a costume representing the character they are reading and to bring props their character will use as we read the script over the following four days. Ideally we will be reading on the following schedule, though this may be adapted depending on how quickly a group moves through the text and discussion of each act of the play. Day 1: Begin Act 1 Day 2: Reading and Discussion of Act 1-2 Day 3: Reading and Discussion of Act 2-3 Day 4: Reading and Discussion of Act 3-4 Day 5: Finish the script and wrap up discussion (Depending upon the students in a section, Day 5 may not last the entire one hour and 15 minutes. For other groups of students, we may go a little longer than the listed time on Day 5. Day 5 really depends upon how much students want to discuss the script and history.)
Learning Goals
There are multiple learning goals in this class. The first is to read and understand Arthur Miller's play π»ππ πͺπππππππ, while also examining it through anti-racist and feminist lenses. Students will learn the history that shapes the play, including more about the Puritans, the Salem Witch Trials, and McCarthyism. Students will work with literary concepts such as allegory and metaphor, as well as learning and using common theater concepts and tools such as casting, scripts, and stage directions. There will be ample opportunities for critical thinking as we analyze and discuss the play and history and current events in relation to the play.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
π»ππ πͺπππππππ includes mature themes. Among these are a teenage girl who has an affair with a married man. The story is often intense and there are depictions of violence, abuse, slavery, and death. Arthur Miller presents the play's sole character of color, Tituba, using racist stereotypes and caricatures. We will discuss racism, patriarchy, colonization, religion, and current events as part of analyzing the play. Students will be encouraged to make connections with current events and this will lead to conversations about current political debates. My objective when this happens is to facilitate a civil, thoughtful, learner-led conversation in which students arrive at connections through their own analysis.
Supply List
Arthur Miller's "The Crucible"
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
349reviews
Star Educator
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in History from Gettysburg College
Bachelor's Degree in English from Campbellsville University
I have a master of arts degree in American history, and bachelor of arts degrees in political science, English, and communications with a journalism emphasis. I am lead teacher at The Foster Woods Folk School, which focuses on humanities education within an ecosocial justice framework aimed at celebrating and improving our connections as a global community of humans and non-humans living on Planet Earth. In this role, I work with learners of all ages with a primary focus of working with learners in grades three through 12. I was the director of a social justice center for three years during which time I routinely taught about and facilitated conversations about historical and current political events for both teen and adults participants. Before that, I was a newspaper editor and reporter for 15 years. I have been teaching history, social studies, and English Language Arts classes for several years. Reviews
Live Group Class
$100
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
75 min
Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
6-18 learners per class
