AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: U.S. History
IPG: Third Six Weeks
Major Concept # 1 - Change
GRADE LEVEL: 11
Overarching
Idea
Change in a society results in economic booms and busts, cultural innovations, and social upheaval.
Guiding
Questions
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How well does a society adapt to change?
What values and beliefs come into conflict when changes take place?
How does change impact the daily lives of different members of society?
How does change impact popular culture?
Major Concept # 2 – Culture
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Innovative cultural trends often result when a society experiences a variety of changes.
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How do changing cultural trends in the arts and literature of a particular society reflect its traditions?
How do changing cultural trends in the arts and literature of a particular society lead to clashes
with a society’s existing traditions?
How do specific changes to a society’s economy impact its popular culture?
How do specific ethnic groups impact a society’s culture?
Major Concept # 3 – Leadership
Overarching
Idea
The political and economic situation of a specific society can either create strong or corrupt political
leadership.
Guiding
Questions
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What causes a political leader to resort to corruption and scandal?
How can effective leadership be demonstrated after experiencing corruption and scandal?
How do desperate and difficult times promote the rise of strong leaders?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: U.S. History
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
IPG: Third Six Weeks
Major Concept # 4 - Patterns
GRADE LEVEL: 11
Patterns of economic prosperity and confidence can be followed by patterns of despair and depression.
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What factors promote patterns of economic prosperity and depression in a society?
How do these economic patterns impact a society’s political, social, and cultural systems?
How can a government’s economic policies encourage a pattern of prosperity?
How do patterns of economic crisis allow for a government to provide basic security for its
citizens?
How can governments cooperate with members of its society to relieve patterns of economic
dispair?
Major Concept # 5- Conflict
Overarching
Idea
International conflict and aggression if ignored lead to catastrophic warfare.
Guiding
Questions
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How can ignoring a conflict lead to greater aggression and warfare?
How can conflict promote ethnic and religious prejudice?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of remaining neutral in a global conflict?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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