Guiding Question: How does art shape our vision(s) of America?

Supporting Questions:

What makes Rodeo American?

How is art a primary source?

Big Idea: Art as History

Students will engage with various archival materials related to the creation, premiere, and subsequent performance of Agnes deMille’s Rodeo.  Through this engagement, they will consider how art (in this case, dance/choreography) is a primary source.  They will use primary source analysis strategies as the main way that they engage with and analyze both production photos and short video clips of the work.  Students will also hear from deMille directly (by way of primary archival sources) to learn more about how and why she created this seminal work.  Throughout, students will consider how Rodeo presents a particular vision of America, and how that vision relates to both historical and present realities.