Inquiries Filed Under:

Complex Societies

About the inquiry

This inquiry provides students with an opportunity to evaluate a series of innovations by three complex civilizations— Maya, Aztec, and Inca. In examining the compelling question “What makes a complex society complex?” students explore how complex societies and civilizations adapt to and modify their environment to meet the needs of their people. Students use the social studies practices of Comparison and Contextualization as they work with sources related to the ancient writing developed by the Maya, specialized agricultural methods developed by the Aztecs, and transportation/communication networks developed by the Inca. The goal of this inquiry is to provide enough background about these innovations and technological advancements to support students as they develop arguments about what makes societies complex.

Compelling Question

What Makes a Complex Society Complex?

Staging Question

Discuss examples of complexity in our society today, noting things that have changed recently in society and how those things are connected, for example, cell phones and the Internet.

Supporting Question

How did the Maya use writing to represent activities in their culture?

Formative Tasks

Write a paragraph describing how the Maya used writing and how others have worked to understand it.

Sources

Source A: Excerpt from Writing in Maya Glyphs Source B: “Maya symbols and Glyphs” chart Source C: 19th-century reproduction of the Dresden Codex

Supporting Question

What did the Aztecs do to master their watery environment?

Formative Tasks

Make a chart of the benefits of swamp agriculture and the use of chinampas.

Sources

Source A: Description of the chinampa system Source B: Illustration of a chinampa Source C: Photograph of a modern chinampa

Supporting Question

Why were roads important to the Inca Empire?

Formative Tasks

Make a diagram illustrating how the Inca road system functioned and how Inca runners used that system.

Sources

Source A: “Inca Roads and Chasquis” Source B: Image bank: Inca roadways Source C: An Inca Chasqui runner

Summative Performance Task

Argument: What makes a complex society complex? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, or essay) that explains what makes societies complex using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources.

Extension: Prepare a diagram or a chart that illustrates the complexity of one or more of the societies featured in this inquiry.

Taking Informed Action

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