Society and Culture at the End
of the Twentieth Century
Unit 27
•Demographic changes:
surge of immigration
after 1965, Sunbelt
migration, and the
graying of America
•Revolutions in
biotechnology, mass
communication, and
computers
•Politics in a
multicultural society
Unit 27 Choice Assignment: Select one of the following
assignment choices and complete for credit by Friday 9/16.
 Power point slide show-Create a power point slide show with a minimum of
5 slides [I strongly advise more] with a Title page, Content pages and an Image
source page. Each slide must have an appropriate image for each topic, slide
show must have entrance animation, each image must have a direct URL link
[not www.Google.com] all topics must be addressed presenting a point of view
with your opinion of the significance of each Unit 27 topic to U.S. History [e.g.
how it effected society in the U.S. in specific ways]
 Newspaper page[s]-Create newspaper page[s] that address each of the Unit
27 topics and present a point of view with your opinion of how each specifically
affected society in the U.S. Your page[s] must have multiple articles to address each
topic [different author names if you wish] with images and advertisements.
 Youtube video-Create a Youtube video to explain the significance of each of the
topics addressed in Unit 27. You have wide latitude to be a newscaster, t.v.
personality, etc. You must not use profanity or inappropriate language [see me if you
are unsure what that means]. If you cannot gain access to Youtube you may create a
recorded video on a cell phone/camcorder. Video must be at least 5 minutes long.
 Written essay-Write an expository essay typed in 12 point Arial font double
spaced with a minimum length of 3 pages. Must have a title and info source page at
the end. You should use the guidelines I have shared regarding expository essays.
Each Unit 27 topic must be addressed in detail.
 Cartoon strips-Create a series of cartoon strips that explain the historical
significance of each of the topics addressed in Unit 27. You must have 6 panels for
each topic and at least one image [drawn/copied] for each panel. There must be
appropriate dialogue/thoughts in each panel to provide understanding to the reader.
 [Topic
1] Demographic changes: surge of
immigration after 1965, Sunbelt
migration, and the “graying” of America
 [Topic
2] Revolutions in biotechnology,
mass communication, and computers
 [Topic
3] Politics in a multicultural society
Demographic changes:
Surge of immigration after 1965, Sunbelt migration, and the
“graying” of America
 The mid to late 20th century [1950s to 1990s] saw mostly non-whites immigrate to the U.S.
[Hispanics and Asians] creating difficult assimilation due to language and cultural
differences.
 Native U.S. population is the oldest it has ever been with the ongoing retirements of the socalled Baby Boom generation. The financial strain on the Social Security and Medicare
systems will be significant in the next 5-20 years.
 Intra-continental migration from the Northern states to warmer Southwestern and
Southeastern states has caused population shifts and greater demand for government social
services.
Some suggested specific subtopics to include in your work.
You may use others but this list is fairly thorough. Click for
Topics
 The Disuniting of America by
 Frost Belt to Sun Belt Migrations
Arthur M. Schlesinger [book about
refers to the expansion of industries
impact of multiculturalism]
such as aerospace, oil and defense by
large corporations to Southern and
 El Norte directed by Gregory Nava
Western states because of the more
[movie about the immigration and
favorable labor costs in the absence of
lives of Guatemalan immigrant
unions.
siblings in the U.S.]
 Immigration and Nationality Act  The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
[novel about the lives of Chineseof 1965 [Federal law signed by
American immigrant families in San
President Lyndon B. Johnson that
Francisco, California].
redefined the legal immigration
process.]
 Baby Boom refers to the explosion of
the U.S. birth rate from 1946 to 1964
 Social Security Act of 1965 [Federal
[this coincided with the return of U.S.
law signed by President Lyndon B.
military servicemen from WWII and
Johnson that administered health
the Korean Conflict.
insurance for U.S. citizens over age
65.]
Text book page help by subject
In order to make easier usage of our text book I have provided chapter and sections for
topics and subtopics. Please be aware that you are expected to carefully and closely
read any and all areas of the text book where appropriate information can be found.
• Great Society Program [President Lyndon Johnson’s
legislation: Social Security Act of 1965 and Immigration and
Nationality Act of 1965] Chapter 24, Section 3
• Sunbelt Migration Chapter 21, Section 3; Chapter,
Section 1
• Baby Boom Chapter 23, Section 2
Revolutions in biotechnology, mass
communication, and computers
 The World Wide Web became a commercial phenomenon in the early 1990s
after it had previously been a U.S. military communications tool called the
ARPA network.
 The cloning controversy of the 1990s created concerns about bio-ethics. A
sheep named Dolly was cloned by scientists and created the possibility of
the practice in humans for replacement organs and or even a whole person.
 The 1980s saw the explosion of PC [personal computer] ownership and
usage throughout the U.S. The wealth and power of technology companies
exploded.
Some suggested specific subtopics/people to include in your work. You may
use others but this list is fairly thorough. Click for topics
 ARPANET [Advanced Research




Projects Agency Network ] refers to
the U.S. military project used to
transmit secret information within
the U.S. government. This
electronic communications concept
has mutated into the World Wide
Web or Internet.
Wargames directed by John
Badham [movie about a military
computer network program used
for war fighting]
Steve Jobs the founder of Apple
Computers.
Bill Gates a founder of Microsoft
Corporation.
Cisco Systems worldwide leader
in computer networking hardware.
 Cloning several species of




animals have been “cloned” using
nuclear material [DNA/RNA] from
living things and implanting it into
others cells.
Stem Cell Research refers to the
concept of using human stem cells
[usually embryonic cells or
umbilical cord cells] to repair or
remake entirely new cells.
Godsend directed by Nick Hamm
[movie about the ethics and
challenges related to human
cloning].
Andy Grove a founder of Intel
Corporation.
Larry Ellison founder of Oracle
Corporation.
Text book page help by subject
In order to make easier usage of our text book I have provided chapter and sections for
topics and subtopics. Please be aware that you are expected to carefully and closely
read any and all areas of the text book where appropriate information can be found.
• Technology Revolution Chapter 30, Section 1
• Cloning p. 1006
Topic 1-Politics in a multicultural society



Concerns about illegal immigration have become a very challenging problem within several
states, particularly southern border states, and governments have sought many remedies such
as Proposition 187 in California in 1994.
From the 1980s to the end of the 20th century many non-whites were elected to high political
office [mayors, governors, etc.].
Several controversial issues such as multicultural education and diversity [gender and racial] in
the workforce have challenged traditional views of what the United States should “look like.”
Some suggested specific subtopics/people to include in
your work. You may use others but this list is fairly
thorough.



Proposition 187 refers to the 1994
ballot initiative voted on by
California residents to establish
citizenship screening for access to
public services such as schools and
health care.
Equal Rights Amendment refers to the
failed U.S. Constitutional Amendment
proposal that would have explicitly
granted equal gender rights.
L. Douglas Wilder was the first
African-American elected governor
of a state in the U.S.



The Stonewall riots refers to a series
of random and violent
demonstrations in 1969 related to
the so-called LGBT movement.
Ebonics refers to the term created
by linguists and social-psychologists
to describe the manner of speech of
descendants of African slaves.
Political Correctness refers to the set
of ideas and policies that seek and
emphasize the need to limit
offending various groups of people
based on gender, race, creed,
religion, sex orientation, etc.
Text book page help by subject
In order to make easier usage of our text book I have provided chapter and sections for
topics and subtopics. Please be aware that you are expected to carefully and closely
read any and all areas of the text book where appropriate information can be found.
• Equal Rights Amendment Chapter 27, Section 2
• Gay Rights Movement Chapter 29, Section 3
Unit 27 Assignment Rubric
Level 5
Distinguished
Level 4
Accomplished
Level 3
Proficient
Level 2
Developing
Level 1
Beginning
Extremely clear thesis is stated
[essay in first sentence, in power
point show at beginning of each
content slide, in newspaper
articles as a headline, in videos
as an opening phrase, in cartoon
strips at beginning of each
topic]. Thesis is supported with
multiple examples [3 or more]
for each topic that are relevant
to topics addressed. Body
paragraphs, content slides, video
dialogue, news stories, cartoon
dialogue contain logical and fact
based evidence to support the
thesis that is easily understood
by readers at all levels.
Conclusions summarize and
restate main point of thesis and
offer opinionated but justifiable
explanations as to why the
product’s point of view is
correct. Inferences and/or
explicit references to
alternate/opposing points of
view are also present.
Clear of point of view is stated
[essay in first sentence, in power
point show at beginning of each
content slide, in newspaper
articles as a headline, in videos
as an opening phrase, in cartoon
strips at beginning of each
topic]. Thesis is supported by
more than one example [but less
than 3] that are relevant to
topics addressed. Body
paragraphs, content slides, video
dialogue, news stories, cartoon
dialogue contain logical and fact
based evidence to support the
product’s thesis that is likely
understood by most readers.
Conclusions restate main point
of thesis and offers opinionated
understandings as to why thesis
is correct.
A thesis is stated in the first
paragraph [may not be very
clear]. Attempts to support
thesis are present but may not
offer more than one clear or
logical and fact based argument.
Body paragraphs, content slides,
video dialogue, news stories,
cartoon dialogue are present
with clear attempts [may not be
very convincing] to support and
draw a direct link to the
conclusion related to thesis.
Evidence of some analysis may
be present but there is no clear
thesis. Facts and evidence used
to support the point of view or
argument are confusing and
unorganized to most readers.
Body paragraphs, content slides,
video dialogue, news stories,
cartoon dialogue may be present
but do not lead to any clear,
logical and/or fact based
conclusion [mostly random
generalizations and
speculations].
No clear analysis is present. No
clear statement of a point of
view is present.
No logical or fact based evidence
is presented to the reader.
No organized paragraphs,
content slides, video dialogue,
news stories, cartoon dialogue
are present. Mostly random and
aimless thoughts written in
haphazard and unorganized
manner.
Image sources
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http://www.freeinfosociety.com/media/images/1019.jpg
http://www.redicecreations.com/ul_img/2550ianwilmutknighted.jpg
http://man-over-board.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/history-of-cell-phones.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2CBkey4ymc/TgWhM9nZzRI/AAAAAAAAACg/bg28LfT87_I/s1600/P4.jpg
http://seniorlivinghub.info/images/senior_citizens/senior_citizens_385x261.jpg
http://orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/immigrant-crossing-sign.jpg
http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/wps/media/objects/2428/2487068/atlas/Resources/sm_ah6_m006.jpg
http://robinade.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/latino-youth-thumb1.jpg
http://www.windows-vista-tips-and-tricks.com/image-files/windows-vista-internet-explorer-icon.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Dick_and_Jane.jpg
http://www.any-video-converter.com/ipod-video-converter/image/ipod-touch-model.jpg