Transcendentalism in Popular Culture
Part 1
Now that we’ve had a chance to explore some of Emerson and
Thoreau’s transcendentalist ideas in their writing, it’s time we see how
these ideas are still seen in popular culture. You and your group will
be creating a Prezi focusing on examples
of transcendentalism in today’s pop
culture: comics, music, quotes/news,
Control + Click to connect to
and movies.
links.
Day One: Transcendentalism in Comics
1. You will search
http://www.gocomics.com/ for examples of Transcendental
thought in cartoons. Everyone will be responsible for finding
a “Calvin and Hobbes” strip, and 1 other comic from the
following titles (report to me with your choices to make sure
there aren’t any repeats).
a. Doonesbury
b. Rose is Rose
c. Non-Sequiter
d. Peanuts
e. The Other Coast
f. Putz, Marty and Spud
g. Caffenated
2. Fill out the chart “Examples of Transcendental Thought” with
the 2 examples of comics you find. You can find it here:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images
/lesson320/chart.pdf
Day Two: Transcendental Thought (Or Not!) in Action
1. Choose one of the many famous quotes from Emerson and/or
Thoreau. You may use the website
http://www.quotationspage.com/ (type in the transcendentalist’s
name in search box) to find a quote or find one on your own.
2. Find a newspaper / web news article that demonstrates the
quote in action, or shows the opposite of what Emerson and/or
Thoreau had in mind. Copy the article for your Prezi and explain
how the article and quote connect.
Day 3: Movies
1. Choose a movie from the following list and fill in “Examples of
Transcendental Thought”. You may choose to watch the movie
with your group or on your own, it’s up to your group to decide.
a. “A River Runs Through It”
b. “Field of Dreams”
c. “Dances With Wolves”
d. “Dead Poet’s Society”
e. “Eat, Pray, Love”
f. “The Natural”
g. “E.T.”
h. “The Avengers”
i. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”
j. “Edward Scissorshands”
k. See me regarding your own recommendation.
2. Find trailers or scenes to embed in your Prezi
Music:
Individual Steps 1&2:
1. Identify a list of at least 1 song with Transcendentalist
characteristics in the lyrics (NO MORE THAN 2).
2. For the song(s), fill out the chart “Examples of Transcendental
Thought” with the example lyrics you find.
Group Steps 3-5:
3. Combine and Create a list of songs and the artists.
4. Create or find an image to use for your CD cover to embed in
your Prezi. Remember you can embed YouTube videos as well.
5. Remember to bring any material from home.
Day 4: Putting it all together! As you are working on this project, you
will be saving all of your material on your H drive or a flash drive so
you can have it handy for your Prezi. I want you to come prepared, so
I don’t have to extend the time needed to work on the presentation.
What you will turn in to me:
A. Each person will turn in:
e. You will also construct an
using the
method that will analyze your findings on
transcendentalism in pop culture. You will compose a
well-developed essay that is grammatically sound and
well organized. This essay will be double-spaced,
typed in12 point readable-font. The essay should be no
less than 4 paragraphs.
***DATES WILL CHANGE ACCORDINGLY***
B. Due Dates:
Prezi Presentations on 11/15 & 11/16
Packets with Worksheets due 11/19.
TIQA analysis paper due on www.turnitin.com
By 11/20.
Examining Transcendentalism through Popular Culutre Rubric
Final Project Rubric
CATEGORY
OVERALL
5
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from 3 or more
genres of popular
culture.
4
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from 2 genres of
popular culture.
COMICS
Makes a complete
and detailed
description of the
examples or
quotations from
comic resources.
Makes a complete
and detailed
description of the
examples or
quotations from
news resources
Accurately
describes several
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they
are used in the
example.
Accurately
describes several
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they
are used in the
example.
The group follows
the directions of
the assignment
completely and
works together as
a team.
The Prezi reflects
an overall effort to
be neat and
creative. The
various examples
are presented
clearly, effectively
and creatively.
NEWS
MOVIE
MUSIC
DIRECTIONS
AND TEAMWORK
EFFORT /
CREATIVITY
Makes a detailed
description of most
of the examples or
quotations from
comic resources.
3.5
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from 1 or more
genres of popular
culture, but repeats
information.
Makes a detailed
description of some
of the examples or
quotations from
comic resources.
3
Provides unique
examples for each
characteristic of
transcendentalism
from genre of
popular culture, but
information is
incomplete.
Descriptions are
not detailed or
complete.
Makes a detailed
description of most
of the examples or
quotations from
news resources.
Makes a detailed
description of some
of the examples or
quotations from
news resources.
Descriptions are
not detailed or
complete.
Accurately
describes a couple
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they
are used in the
example.
Accurately
describes a couple
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
and accurately
relates how they
are used in the
example.
The group follows
the directions of
the assignment
with minor
problems that do
not affect group
dynamic.
Describes some
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
but has difficulty
describing how
these relate to the
movement.
Has trouble picking
out the dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism.
Describes some
dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism
but has difficulty
describing how
these relate to the
movement.
Has trouble picking
out the dominant
characteristics of
transcendentalism.
The group does not
follow the
directions of the
assignment
completely. Minor
problems affect
group dynamic.
The Prezi shows
effort and depth,
but not as well
done as in 5.
The Prezi shows
little effort or
depth. It is not
done in an
organized, neat
fashion.
Several major
problems with
following directions
are present.
Problems interfere
and prohibit the
project from being
successful.
The Prezi lacks
effort and shows
little thought in
presenting the
ideas.
Student Performance Task
Unit: A Growing Nation
Task: Prezi Assignment
4-5 days
Course: SAL
Time Frame:
Overarching Understanding:

Students will understand that
o That Transcendentalism was an answer to the events of its
time.
Enduring Understanding:

Students will understand that
o The Transcendental philosophy is still reflected and important
in our society.
Essential Question:

How are the qualities of Transcendentalism reflected in our society?
Vignette:
The purpose of the project is to create a Prezi on Transcendentalism in
today’s pop culture. You will conduct web-based research on different
aspects of pop culture and look for the Transcendentalist philosophy rooted
our culture today. You will work in groups to create a Prezi. The more
creative the Prezi, the better!
Standard:
You will be graded on the following scale:
 (See attached rubric)
Performance Task Blueprint
Unit:
A Growing Nation
Type:
Topic Area:
Prezi Assignment
Time Frame:
Goal
Project
4-5 Days
The student will create a Prezi that reflects Transcendental philosophy
in today’s pop culture.
You are the researcher.
Role
An audience of your peers and academic personnel.
Audience
Situation
You have been asked to create a Prezi on many aspects of
Transcendentalism. You will need to look into the past and use it to
determine the perspective of today. This project requires the use of 21 st
century thoughts, skills, technologies and media.
Prezi presentation with specific information required (see rubric).
Product or
Performance
Standards
RI11-12.7. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different
media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to
address a question or solve a problem.
W.11-12.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas,
concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection,
organization, and analysis of content.
W.11-12.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization,
and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific
expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.11-12.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update
individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback,
including new arguments or information.
W.11-12.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question
(including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden
the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.11-12.8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources,
using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of
each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information
into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and
overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
L.11-12.1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and
usage when writing or speaking.
L.11-12.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.