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‍The Last Samurai Project
====‍ For many Americans, Hollywood acts as the producer of history. The film industry has long offered its depiction of historical events and facts. Of these attempts to recreate history, some have tried to stay true to the facts of the past, while others have been complete fabrications. This project will require students to reflect on Hollywood's interpretation of historical events and the use of artistic license after critically analyzing Edward Zwick's award winnning film, The Last Samurai (2003). The Last Samurai was nominated for four Oscar awards, three Golden Globes, and over eleven other industry awards during the 2003 - 2004 film award season. Students will be challenged to both recognize artistic license in historical representation and identify the role of Hollywood in creating and influencing popular history throughout the course of this project. ====

====‍ Prior to the viewing of Zwick's The Last Samurai, students will have demonstrated their ability to (1) explain the social structure that existed during the Tokugawa shogunate, (2) identify abilities and limitations that were associated with specific social classes, and (3) describe the social, political, and industrial changes that began to take place within Japan after the arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in 1853, Students will choose both their group members for this project and their topic of study for this project. While viewing The Last Samurai, students will be required to keep a daily log of observations from the movie that pertain to their topic. Upon completion of the movie, students will critically analyze the project using a guided worksheet that asks them to reflect on the plot, character conflicts, themes/messages, and stereotypes found within the film. After participating in a discussion in which students share their findings, students will work collectively in groups to create a presentation on the film's accuracy in relation to a topic associated with the Meiji Restoration, the modernization and westernization of Japan, and the end of the samurai. ====

Student Objectives:

 * ====‍‍‍ Compare and contrast historical events against Hollywood productions ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Demonstrate knowledge of a specfic topic by preparing a presentation that distinguishes between what is fact and what is fiction in Robert Zwick's film //The Last Samurai// ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Select a method of presentation that best fits your groups goals for demonstrating knowledge of your chosen topic ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Critique other group presentations (using a rubric) on the basis of clarity, level of analysis, communication skills, and ability to effectively support their arguments and opinions ====

‍Posiible Topics for this Project:

 * ====‍‍‍ The Way of the Warrior: Bushido/Seppuku ====
 * ====‍‍‍ The Meiji Restoration: Modernization and Westernization ====
 * ====‍‍‍ The Meiji Emperor and His Advisors ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Westerners in Japan ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Women and Family of Samurai ====
 * ====‍‍‍ The Last Samurai: Saigo Takamori ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Samurai versus Ninjas ====

‍Requirements:

 * ====‍‍‍ Students must submit a critical analysis packet on The Last Samurai (daily summaries, character conflicts, messages, strengths/weaknesses, and stereotypes) ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Students must design a presentation on a specific topic related to the Meiji Restoration, the modernization and westernization of Japan, and the end of the samurai ====
 * ====‍‍‍ Students will prepare a peer review that critiques the content, level of analysis, and delivery of of other group presenters ====

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