Login to add Inquiry to Stack

Login or Create Account

Inquiries Filed Under:

Points of View on the Korean War

PDF
DOC

About the inquiry

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Korean War by investigating the compelling question “Whose voices are heard in history?” through the evaluation of oral histories, newspaper articles, photographs, and monuments. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and help students identify points of view that are either present or missing in historical narratives. Students create an evidence-based argument about why some voices are left out of history.

Compelling Question

Whose Voices Are Heard in History?

Staging Question

Examine a photograph of a Korean War monument from the National Mall. Consider the race, gender, age, and nationality of the people memorialized.

1
Supporting Question

Whose experiences are recognized in Korean War Monuments?

Formative Tasks

Create a list of the groups of people you see in the monument.

Sources

Source A: Image of, and artist’s design rationale for, Washington State Memorial
Source B: Image, New Jersey State Memorial
Source C: Image, Harry S. Truman at a war memorial in St. Joseph, Missouri

2
Supporting Question

What role did soldiers of color play in the Korean War?

Formative Tasks

Create a table organizing examples of contributions that people of color made in the Korean War.

Sources

Source A: Oral history, Congressman Charles Rangel
Source B: Image and link, Patriot Nations exhibit, National Museum of the American Indian
Source C: Fact sheet, African Americans in the Korean War

3
Supporting Question

What contributions did women make to the Korean War?

Formative Tasks

Identify three quotes from women regarding their roles and positions in, and contributions to, the Korean War.

Sources

Source A: Oral history, Voelia “Jean” Thompson
Source B: Oral history, Shirley Toepfer
Source C: Oral history, Mary Reid

4
Supporting Question

Why are some voices omitted in the telling and honoring of history?

Formative Tasks

Write a one-paragraph summary of each of these articles’ claims and the evidence they provide.

Sources

Source A: Excerpt from article, “Whitewashing the Past”
Source B: Excerpt from article, “Army Removes Cloud Over Black Korean War Unit”

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, or essay) that discusses the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources while acknowledging competing views.

Extension:

Taking Informed Action

No data found.