Visual representation of depression

Assignment #4: Photography, Advertising, and Literature during the Great Depression

Note: Be sure to keep the focus of your analysis and peer responses on the works you are discussing--the details of the photograph and song lyrics and how they reflect the Great Depression. Do not just get into a discussion of the Great Depression in general.

Original Discussion Response (65 points response; 10 points writing)

For this discussion assignment, you will be analyzing how different media represent the Great Depression Era. Choose one image from the Great Depression from the following website: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/requests.html (Links to an external site.)

and one song from the Great Depression at the bottom of this document.

Closely examine both the photograph and the song, then discuss how both can be used to understand the Great Depression. You do not have to include an introduction or conclusion, but you should have a minimum of three well written paragraphs. Paragraph 1 should analyze the photograph, paragraph 2 should analyze the song, and paragraph 3 should compare the two media forms and discuss how both add to your understanding of the Depression Era.

Peer Responses (25 points)

Read one of your classmates' original posts, then compose a response post (at least 100 words) that does at least TWO of the following (cite your sources if referenced):

Extends or adds to his/her point(s) about the advertisements being discussed

Asks a clarifying question

Disagrees (with reasoning and evidence) with the author's analysis

Adds to the understanding of the analysis of the advertisements

Be sure to keep the focus of the peer response on the works being discussed and the points your classmate made about the works.