In this unit, you'll take a look at the historical vision of the American Dream as put together by our Founding Fathers. How, if at all, has this dream changed? Is this dream your dream? First you'll participate in an American Dream Convention, acting as a particular historical figure arguing for his or her vision of the American Dream, and then you'll write an argument laying out and defending your personal view of what the American Dream should be.

Close reading of the texts in this unit will help you answer these Guiding Questions:

• What has been the historical vision of the American Dream?
• What should the American Dream be? (What should we as individuals and as a nation aspire to?)
• How would women, former slaves, and other disenfranchised groups living during the time these documents were written respond to them?