AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: WORLD HISTORY
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 10
MAJOR CONCEPT #1: Power
Overarching Rival nations use military and economic influence to extend their power over other nations.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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Why do some nations try to extend power and control over other nations?
How do some nations prevent other nations from gaining power and influence in global affairs?
How have internal struggles within a nation determined who gains power and control in that nation?
How can competing superpowers use weaker countries in their competition for power?
What happens to a nation when its systems of power and government shift?
How can power be used to rebuild a nation’s social and economic structure?
MAJOR CONCEPT #2: Markets
Overarching Economic market systems have been a driving force in history and are an important measure of a nation’s
Idea
strengths.
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Guiding
Questions
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How have different economic market systems competed against each other for global power and
influence?
How have economic market systems influenced the political and social structures of different nations?
How have economic market systems been used to build a nation’s society?
How has the emergence of new nations brought a change in the ownership of vital resources and
markets?
What role has reform played in restructuring and stabilizing market systems?
How have different nations worked to expand trade and commerce in world market systems?
1© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: WORLD HISTORY
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 10
MAJOR CONCEPT #3: Environment
Overarching The development of new technology has altered the way people interact with their environment.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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How has the development of new technology impacted the global environment?
How can humans protect the environment as new technology impacts the world?
How can the environment be protected as economic development continues on a worldwide scale?
MAJOR CONCEPT #4: Change
Overarching Political, economic, and social change take place as people rebel against repression and foreign
Idea
influence.
Guiding
Questions
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How has change led to political, economic, and social modernization in different nations?
How have revolutions brought about political, economic, and social changes to different nations?
How have political, economic, and social changes led to conflict within and between different nations?
What has been the permanent effect of changes that have taken place in different nations?
How have the changes that have taken place within one nation led to conflicts between other nations?
MAJOR CONCEPT #5: Government
Overarching Although democratic governments are on the rise around the world, the process to establish this system
Idea
of government is often long and difficult.
Guiding
Questions
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What rights and institutions are necessary for a government to be democratic?
What makes a democratic system of government work effectively?
How do citizens participate in a democracy and how can this participation be encouraged?
What obstacles can prevent a democracy from succeeding?
2© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: WORLD HISTORY
IPG: Sixth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 10
MAJOR CONCEPT #6: Location
Overarching The strategic location of a country or region can make it a hot spot in global affairs.
Idea
Guiding
Questions
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What aspects of a country or region’s location make it a hot spot in global affairs?
How does location influence economic development?
How does location impact the outcome of military conflicts?
How can unity be created between diverse people situated in one specific location?
How does the location of a nation or region impact trade and politics on a local and worldwide scale?
MAJOR CONCEPT #7: Interdependence
Overarching Technological developments, democratic reforms, and the blending of ideas and habits have promoted
Idea
greater cultural interdependence around the world.
Guiding
Questions
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How is political, economic, and cultural interdependence evident in today’s world?
How have specific cultures blended ideas and ways of doing things to become culturally
interdependent?
Why have some beliefs and habits had greater effect on the development of cultural interdependence
than others?
3© Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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