People and Cultures
Enter this Unit.	High School Level: Grades 9-12 High School Standard: Themes of United States History Examine the truth of the popular American myth represented by Grant Wood's painting of Herbert Hoover's birthplace: that anyone can grow up to become president of the United States. To complement the study of artworks that represent myths about real people, prepare a report on the derivations of myths told about famous Americans. High School Standard: Diverse Perspectives Investigate the belief systems and social customs of various peoples by viewing and discussing the unit's 24 artworks and their representations of the myths and legends of diverse world cultures. Compare and contrast elements of the creation myths of different cultures; consider what the myths reveal about a culture's belief system, physical environment, and level of scientific knowledge. (See online Mythological Comparisons chart.) Compare and contrast elements of the hero myths of different cultures; evaluate the heroic qualities valued by these cultures in relation to heroic qualities valued by modern American culture. (See online Mythological Comparisons chart.) High School Standard: Human Geography Consider how certain of the unit's artworks reflect the natural environment of the culture in which they were created; examine both the materials used as well as the images portrayed. Use historical and current world maps to identify where the unit's artworks were created. Compare and contrast elements of the creation myths of different cultures; consider what the myths reveal about a people's physical environment. (See online Mythological Comparisons chart.) High School Standard: Institutions and Traditions in Society Investigate the belief systems and social customs of various peoples by viewing and discussing the unit's 24 artworks and their representations of the myths and legends of diverse world cultures. Research and write a report on modern-day holidays and rituals that are connected to myths. Compare and contrast elements of the hero myths of different cultures; evaluate the heroic qualities valued by these cultures in relation to heroic qualities valued by modern American culture. (See online Mythological Comparisons chart.)
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