American Experience

Discussion Questions

These questions will help students explore the major ideas and themes in the program. See the Program Summary for descriptions of specific program segments.

Before Watching

1. Prepare a class chart outlining the issues facing America in 1960. [Students may need to do some preliminary research in the library or on the Web in order to contribute to the discussion.] Keep the chart posted throughout the unit, and as students watch the film, have them take notes on how JFK's administration addressed or failed to address each of the issues.

2. Ask students what they know about the Kennedys. Create a word web of facts, images, and other data associated with the Kennedy family, with separate strands for Jack, Robert, and Ted. Ask students why they think the Kennedys are so prominent in the media, even today. Do students think, as some say, that the Kennedys are an American version of a "royal family"? If so, why? Why do they think Americans seem to be fascinated by wealthy, powerful families like the Kennedys?

3.Many people helped JFK as he rose to the presidency and while he was in office. For example, his wife, Jacqueline, was instrumental in helping to create the atmosphere of glamour and culture that surrounded her husband's presidency. Ask students to choose someone who influenced JFK -- e.g., his father, his brother Robert, or Jacqueline -- and ask them to note as they watch the video how this person affected or helped JFK before and during his presidency.

After Watching

1. Play the title song from the musical "Camelot" or read the lyrics aloud for the class. Explain to students that JFK's administration became associated with the image of King Arthur's court when Mrs. Kennedy mentioned in an interview after JFK's death that the title song to the popular Broadway musical "Camelot" had been one of her husband's favorites. Ask students if they think this song portrays an accurate image of the Kennedy administration, or of JFK himself. Discuss JFK's legacy -- what was his most important contribution? Was his tenure "one brief shining moment"? If so, why? How effective was he as a president? Why is Kennedy still rated as one of our most popular presidents? How has the passage of time affected or altered the image of the Kennedy years? How do they think American history would have been different if JFK had lived out his term or been re-elected?

2. Revisit the word web created before watching the program. Ask students what they would add, change, or delete from the diagram and have them explain their reasons. Are there specific people or events they didn't know about before viewing the program? Has the media attention on the Kennedys changed over the years? If so, how?

3. The fact that JFK was Roman Catholic was a major issue in the presidential campaign. Ask students to explore why the "religious issue" was of such concern at the time. Do students think it is still a concern? Should a person's religion affect his or her ability to be president?

4. How did JFK's Vietnam policy reflect his world views? How did his actions in Southeast Asia set the stage for future conflict?