Standard 2A: The student understands economic patterns since 1968.
Explain the sluggishness in the overall rate of economic growth and the relative stagnation of wages since 1973. [Utilize quantitative data]
Analyze the economic and social effects of the sharp increase in the labor force participation of women and new immigrants. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Explain the increase in income disparities and evaluate its social and political consequences. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Examine the consequences of the shift of the labor force from manufacturing to service industries. [Evaluate debates among historians]
Evaluate how scientific advances and technological changes such as robotics and the computer revolution affect the economy and the nature of work. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Assess the effects of international trade, transnational business organization, and overseas competition on the economy. [Utilize quantitative data]
Standard 2B: The student understands the new immigration and demographic shifts.
Analyze the new immigration policies after 1965 and the push-pull factors that prompted a new wave of immigrants. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Identify the major issues that affected immigrants and explain the conflicts these issues engendered. [Identify issues and problems in the past]
Explore the continuing population flow from cities to suburbs, the internal migrations from the “Rustbelt” to the “Sunbelt,” and the social and political effects of these changes. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Explain changes in the size and composition of the traditional American family and their ramifications. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Explain the shifting age structure of the population with the aging of the “baby boomers,” and grasp the implications of the “greying of America.” [Utilize quantitative data]
Standard 2C: The student understands changing religious diversity and its impact on American institutions and values.
Analyze how the new immigrants have affected religious diversity. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Analyze the position of major religious groups on political and social issues. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Explain the growth of the Christian evangelical movement. [Consider multiple perspectives]
Analyze how religious organizations use modern telecommunications to promote their faiths. [Interrogate historical data]
Standard 2D: The student understands contemporary American culture.
Evaluate the desegregation of education and assess its role in the creation of private white academies. [Analyze multiple causation]
Analyze how social change and renewed ethnic diversity has affected artistic expression and popular culture. [Analyze cause-and-effect relationships]
Explain the influence of media on contemporary American culture. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Explore the international influence of American culture. [Draw upon visual and musical sources]
Explain the reasons for the increased popularity of professional sports and examine the influence of spectator sports on popular culture. [Reconstruct patterns of historical succession and duration]
Standard 2E: The student understands how a democratic polity debates social issues and mediates between individual or group rights and the common good.
Evaluate to what degree affirmative action policies have achieved their goals and assess the current debate over affirmative action. [Consider multiple perspectives]
Explore the range of women’s organizations, the changing goals of the women’s movement, and the issues currently dividing women. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Explain the evolution of government support for the assertion of rights by the disabled. [Reconstruct patterns of historical succession and duration]
Evaluate the continuing grievances of racial and ethnic minorities and their recurrent reference to the nation’s charter documents. [Explain historical continuity and change]
Examine the emergence of the Gay Liberation Movement and evaluate the invocation of democratic ideals concerning the civil rights of gay Americans. [Consider multiple perspectives]
Evaluate the continuing struggle for e pluribus unum amid debates over national vs. group identity, group rights vs. individual rights, multiculturalism, and bilingual education. [Consider multiple perspectives]
Social Security: A New Challenge for the 21st Century
After researching the history, purpose and present status of the Social Security System, you will compare the American Social Security to that of other countries, engage in an online discussion, make projections for your future and answer the Big Question: "How should the American Social Security System be structured to provide for its elders and disabled citizens?"
Immigration in Focus
Immigration is an important issue we face today. Whatever your viewpoint is about immigration, we must remember that immigrants are people and as photographers we can tell the human story, and portray who the people are behind the news.
Mexican Immigration
A webquest that requires students to create a documentary based on their studies of the experiences of Mexican Immigrants coming to the U.S. Students need to create a script, costumes, and a video for their final presentation.
The World Problems Project 2003 Are you going to be shown up by a bunch of 4th graders? Take a look at this great site showing what an elementary class from Hannibal, Missouri did and maybe get some ideas for yourself.
Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Iraq, Role of the United Nations and the United States in Middle East policy, developing countries, immigration, biosecurity, terrorism, 'War on Al Queda',
Economics
World poverty, World Bank, employment and standards of living, international trade, globalization,
Environmental Issues
Overpopulation, deforestation, erosion, hydroelectric power, uranium mining and nuclear waste, toxic cleanup, greenhouse effect & global warming, alternative energy,
Youth crime, causes of crime, justice system, capital punishment, victim awareness, domestic violence, sexual abuse, gun control, gang violence,
War & Terrorism
War crimes, International relations, treaties, regional conflicts, affect on civilians and vulnerable popluations
Human Rights
Women, children, the elderly, first nations, torture, genocide, human traficking, sweat shops, homosexuality
Highly Trusted Organizations
The United Nations This is the official Web Site of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Cyber School Bus Teaches and informs students of all ages about international issues and the work of the UN with facts, quizzes, games, and a virtual tour.
World Health Organization WHO's objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Amnesty International AI's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination
