History 17B Essay on Citizen 13660
Mine Okubo’s Citizen 13660 offers an early account of the experience of incarceration of
Japanese Americans during World War II and explores many themes of civil liberties, wartime
restrictions, race, prejudice, dehumanization, home, family, privacy, and debates about
Americanism and American values, among many other themes. Published in 1946, just one year
following the end of World War II, and drawing on Okubo’s experiences of incarceration, Citizen
13660 is a unique primary source.
For this assignment, analyze Citizen 13660 as a primary source. To focus your analysis, choose
one major theme related to the incarceration experience as documented by Okubo and describe
how Okubo explores that theme through her words and images and what message she makes in
doing so. What do we learn from this book as a historical source? Why is it significant?
You should use three images as evidence and analyze them as you make your argument. You
may reference other course materials as appropriate, but you should not consult any materials
outside of the course.
Essays should include:
• a brief introduction with a clearly stated thesis indicating the main point of the essay
• supporting body paragraphs with specific details and reference to reading and images
• a brief conclusion summarizing your main point(s)
Papers should be 800-1000 words and adhere to the following format:
• Times New Roman font
• 12 pt. font
• black ink
• double spaced
• no extra space between paragraphs
• page numbers (bottom right)
• you must cite all quotes and paraphrased material, but because we are all using the
same set of course materials, you may cite in short form, parenthetically (Okubo
22) or in footnotes, and do not need to include a works cited page.1
If you do consult any other sources outside of the class, they must be properly cited and include a
full citation in a works cited page. This includes sources from which you quote directly as well
as sources you reference or consult. You must make it clear where you got your information and
provide attribution to the work and words of others.
