WEB WATCH

Ransom Center creates site to teach the American ‘20s

Teaching the American 20s web site

The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center introduces “Teaching the American 20s,” an online educational Web site designed specifically for K-12 educators.

The Web site features informative academic text on topics related to the 1920s and complements the Ransom Center’s exhibition “The American Twenties.”

Content on the site is divided into four themes, including “Big Debates,” about social issues that captured the country’s attention; “Small Town, Big City,” about the changing concept of modern city life; “America Encounters the Modern,” about new forms of creative expression; and “Defining American Culture,” about what it means to be American. These themes are explored through an instructive text and illuminated by literature, art, media, music and other popular culture artifacts of the day.

Numerous viewable and downloadable primary source materials are available, including digital facsimiles of manuscripts, texts, photographs, images and audio files from the Ransom Center’s collections and exhibition. The site also features a glossary, a bibliography and lesson plans. The online materials cover multiple disciplines and can be used for classes ranging from language arts to science to history. 

The “Teaching the American 20s” Web site and “The American Twenties” exhibition will also provide the framework for a summer teacher institute administered by the Ransom Center and Region XIII. The institute will provide teachers with insight into this vibrant decade and expose them to the resources available at the Ransom Center, while speakers will discuss topics covered in each session.