This document contains discussion questions and assignments related to the musical Hamilton: An American Musical. It addresses the topic of access to the musical and asks how the producers are increasing access or could improve access. It includes prompts for a final exam essay on solving the problem of access to Hamilton and responding to potential objections. It also provides discussion questions for preparing an in-class paper on why and how Hamilton should be taught in college. Homework includes listening to songs from the musical and reading a statement by Hamilton regarding his duel with Burr.
4. ACCESS DISCUSSION:
WHO GETS TO SEE HAMILTON? (AND DOES IT MATTER?)
• 1. Why is the question of access to Hamilton important? (There are many possible
answers.)
• 2. What are some barriers to access to Hamilton?
• 3. What are some ways that Miranda and the producers are trying to increase
access?
• 4. What are some things they could/should be doing in addition (or instead)?
• 5. Why might access not be a good thing? (Ex.: what would Monteiro or Reed say
about access to this musical?)
5. FINAL EXAM ESSAY
• Problem-Solution Essay (much like Paper 2).
• Topic: access to Hamilton: An American Musical.
• Identify and describe the problem. What is the problem with access to Hamilton?
• Why is this a problem? Explain.
• How would you go about solving this problem. Feel free to include more than one
solution.
• Acknowledge and respond to at least one potential objection to your solution.
• I expect a well-written essay with at least five body paragraphs.
• You may bring in a “quote sheet” with up to three quotations that you want to
use.
• I recommend quotes from Hardson-Hurley, ““When Seats are Left Empty at the
Greatest Show in the World,” and/or Hamilton: The Revolution XVIII.
6. PAPER 4 PREP (IN FAMILIAS)
• Take 5 minutes and brainstorm
answers to these questions.
• 1. Why should Hamilton: An
American Musical be taught in
college?
• 2. What can students learn from
studying this musical?
• 3. How should it be taught? What
aspects of the musical should the
course focus on?
• 4. How should it be taught in relation
to other texts or histories?
• Then, discuss your answers in your
familia. Everyone should share their
answers.
• If you don’t have an answer to one of
the questions, ask your familia for
help.
7. HW FOR THURSDAY
• Listening:
• 2.22 The World Was Wide Enough
• 2.23 Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells
Your Story
• Reading:
• Hamilton, “Statement Regarding the
Duel with Burr” (Course Reader 105-
07).
• Bring a draft of Paper 4 for our
workshop.
• Someone from each Act 2
presentation group should be
prepared to put your group's list of
vocab and historical event.
