Contextualization

Introduction to Jimmy Carter and his Presidency

James Earl Carter Jr., better known as Jimmy Carter, was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter grew up on a small farm, where he learned the values of hard work, racial tolerance, and the importance of faith.

Carter's presidency was marked by several significant events and policies. Domestically, he championed human rights, energy conservation, environmental protection, and government reform. Internationally, he played a pivotal role in brokering the historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, known as the Camp David Accords.

Jimmy Carter's Legacy

Carter's post-presidential career is equally notable. He established the Carter Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and improving global health. He has played an active role in numerous peace negotiations around the world and is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Carter's presidency and post-presidential work offer a rich vein of study for historians and students alike. His commitment to human rights, his approach to foreign policy, and his dedication to public service provide valuable lessons about leadership, diplomacy, and the role of the United States in the world.

Resources for Further Study

Students are encouraged to delve deeper into the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter using the following resources:

1. The Carter Center: The official website of the Carter Center provides a wealth of information about Carter's post-presidential work and the Center's ongoing projects.

2. The Miller Center - Jimmy Carter: This resource from the University of Virginia offers an in-depth analysis of Carter's presidency, including his major policies and initiatives.

3. The American Presidency Project - Jimmy Carter: This resource from the University of California, Santa Barbara includes Carter's public papers, speeches, and other presidential documents.

4. PBS - American Experience: Jimmy Carter: This documentary film from PBS provides a comprehensive overview of Carter's life and presidency.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Jimmy Carter: A Journey Through Time and Policy"

Objective of the Project

The main objective of this project is to gain an in-depth understanding of Jimmy Carter's life and presidency, his significant policies, and their impact on the United States and the world.

Detailed Description of the Project

The project consists of three main tasks:

1. Jimmy Carter Timeline Creation (8 hours)

In groups of 3 to 5 students, you will create a timeline of key events in Jimmy Carter's life and presidency. The timeline should include major milestones such as his birth, presidency, post-presidential career, notable policies, achievements, and significant global events during his tenure. Use different colors or symbols to distinguish between personal, presidential, and post-presidential events.

2. Analysis of Jimmy Carter's Policies (12 hours)

Choose three major policies or actions from Carter's presidency. Research the context in which these policies were implemented, their objectives, their impact, and the public's and historians' reception of them.

3. Interview with a Local Historian or Jimmy Carter Expert (4 hours)

Conduct an interview with a local historian, a professor specializing in the study of Jimmy Carter, or an expert from the Carter Center. Prepare a list of questions in advance, and take detailed notes of the expert’s responses.

Necessary Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Paper and markers for creating the timeline.
3. Notebook or digital device for taking notes during the interview.
4. Presentation software like PowerPoint or Google Slides for the final presentation.

Detailed Step-by-step for Carrying Out the Activity

1. Divide Tasks and Plan: Divide the three main tasks among the group members and create a plan to manage your time effectively.

2. Research and Timeline Creation: Start by researching Jimmy Carter's life and presidency. Use the resources provided and any other reliable sources you can find. Create your timeline as you go, ensuring you include all the key events.

3. Policy Analysis: Once your timeline is complete, choose three significant policies or actions from Carter's presidency. Research each policy in detail, analyzing its context, objectives, and impact.

4. Interview Preparation: Prepare a list of insightful questions for your interview. Make sure these questions cover aspects that were not easily found in your initial research.

5. Conduct the Interview: Schedule and conduct the interview with your chosen expert. Remember to take detailed notes during the interview.

6. Integrate Findings: Integrate the information from your timeline, policy analysis, and interview notes. Look for connections and patterns that emerge.

7. Create the Presentation: Create a final presentation that encapsulates your findings. This can be a chronological presentation of your timeline, followed by a discussion of your policy analysis and interview findings.

8. Rehearse and Present: Rehearse your presentation as a group. Each member should contribute to the presentation. Present your work to the class.

9. Writing the Report: Based on the completed project, each group must write a report. The report should be divided into four main parts: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography.

   • Introduction: Contextualize the theme, its relevance, real-world application, and the objective of the project.

   • Development: Detail the theory behind the project, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and present the obtained results.

   • Conclusion: Conclude the work by revisiting its main points and stating the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn about the project.

   • Used Bibliography: Indicate the sources used to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, interviews, among others.

Project Deliverables

1. A completed timeline of Jimmy Carter's life and presidency.
2. A detailed analysis of three major policies or actions from Carter's presidency.
3. Detailed interview notes from an expert on Jimmy Carter.
4. A final presentation that encapsulates your findings.
5. A written report detailing the project process and its outcomes.

The written report should reflect the work done in the project and should be structured in the four main sections as explained above. This written document should complement the final presentation, providing more in-depth explanations of the project's development and conclusions.