AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: U.S. History
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
IPG: Fourth Six Weeks
Major Concept # 1 – Citizenship
GRADE LEVEL: 11
During times of war, good citizenship is reflected through sacrifice for the good of the country.
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What are the responsibilities of good citizenship during times of war?
Why are citizens asked to sacrifice during times of war?
Why can civil liberties guaranteed by citizenship be restricted during times of war?
How does the restriction of civil liberties guaranteed by citizenship during times of war
illustrate the tension between the importance of individual rights and the protection of the
common good?
What has been the lasting impact of war on all citizens in a society?
Major Concept #2 – Conflict
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Conflict may be necessary to preserve and spread democracy.
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How does conflict change a society?
To what extent is the spread of democracy a goal of some nations’ foreign policies?
How can a society’s ideas and values beat conflict with those of another society?
How does fear shape a society’s policy in dealing with conflict?
How have the actions taken by one nation in addressing conflict affected how other nations
perceive that nation?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
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AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: U.S. History
IPG: Fourth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 11
Major Concept # 3 - Change
Overarching
Idea
Guiding
Questions
Societal change contributes to and results from economic prosperity, social conformity, and cultural
upheaval.
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How does a society adapt to change?
How can both conformity and upheaval simultaneously impact and change a society?
What have been the lasting impacts of changes brought about through cultural
innovations?
How have economic booms impacted and changed a society?
Major Concept # 4 - Equality
Overarching
Idea
Individuals have great power in enacting positive changes that promote equality to all citizens in their society.
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Guiding
Questions
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How can individuals enact positive change that promotes equality for all citizens in a
society?
How can individual actions promote political, economic, and social equality for all citizens?
Why do individual actions become more assertive when the goal of achieving equality is
not met?
What risks do individuals face when they try to achieve equality for all citizens?
©Austin Independent School District, 2009-2010
2
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
SUBJECT/COURSE: U.S. History
IPG: Fourth Six Weeks
GRADE LEVEL: 11
Major Concept # 5 - Reform
Overarching
Idea
Political, economic, and social reform is necessary to create a more equitable society.
Guiding
Questions
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Why are some aspects of society in need of reform?
How can a society build on earlier attempts of reforming itself?
What role should a nation’s government take in reforming its society?
How does reform within a society lead to progress for all of its citizens?
What are the lasting impacts of reform on specific societies?
©Austin Independent School District, 2007-2008
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