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One of the aspects of Reagan’s presidency that he is most remembered for is his economic policies. Reaganomics has been both praised and criticized. In this inquiry students will investigate the compelling question, “How do political movements affect people differently?”
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One of the key issues for Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential bid was the war in Vietnam. He promised to withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam, and over his first term, troop numbers decreased, but bombing significantly increased. Nixon won the 1972 election in a landslide. In this inquiry, students will investigate the compelling question, “How do…
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National Review Magazine was founded in 1955 by William F. Buckley Jr. The publication is largely credited with formalizing the modern conservative political platform. As the magazine reached readers across the country, it became a vehicle for spreading ideas, building support, and connecting like-minded individuals. In this inquiry, students will investigate the compelling question, “How…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the two-party system in the United States. Political parties are a central feature of American politics. While political parties were not a part of the original conception of government as established in the U.S. Constitution, they have emerged to play a dominant role in American politics. This…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of political issues and political parties. By exploring the compelling question about how well political parties represent individuals, students consider their own political ideology as a lens for learning about the extent to which political parties address international and domestic issues. In investigating political issues and political party…
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of whether polling can be trusted. By investigating the compelling question “Can Polls Be Trusted?” students evaluate what polls are, how they are used, and how we are growing more confused by them. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of population growth and expansion in South Asia. By investigating the compelling question “How should South Asia respond to a growing population?” students evaluate the best solutions for accommodating a growing population. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and…
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World War II was a catalyst for many changes to the United States throughout the twentieth century. Those changes have had long lasting effects on the U.S. and throughout the world. In this inquiry, students will predict how World War II shaped the future of the United States politically, socially, economically, and internationally.
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the Progressive Era and focuses on the working conditions and reform efforts of working-class, industrial populations in the United States. In addressing the compelling question “Does change guarantee progress?” students will analyze how the experiences of workers in the 20th century impacted the need for labor laws…
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Debates about both the root causes of poverty and how to address poverty have long existed in the United States. These arguments often stem from disagreements around what kind of issue poverty is. In this inquiry, students will answer the compelling question, “What kind of issue is poverty?”
…This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the modern relevance of presidential campaigns by examining how campaigns are structured, financed, and presented to the American people. By investigating the compelling question, “Do presidential campaigns matter anymore?” students examine historical and contemporary sources that dissect how campaigns have changed over time in order to assess…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the impacts of the printing press by examining its utility in society, both as an instrument to preserve cultural products of the past and as an agent of change. By investigating the compelling question “Did the printing press preserve the past or invent the future?” students evaluate…
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Social media has transformed the way people communicate, learn, and build relationships, but it has also raised questions about mental health, privacy, misinformation, and digital well-being. As teenagers spend increasing amounts of time online, understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of social media has become an important part of being an informed and responsible digital…
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of immigration experiences in the United States. By investigating the compelling question—“Is America the ‘Promised Land’ for the world’s immigrants?”—students evaluate the motivating factors and deterrents for immigration to the United States both in the past and present. The formative performance tasks help students build on knowledge and…
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In this inquiry, students will explore persuasive media used in the American Revolution such as pamphlets and political cartoons before analyzing how these sources appealed to different emotions and values. In a group activity, students will identify and categorize emotional appeals and tactics used in various propaganda pieces before determining which tactics were utilized in…
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We do not always think about propaganda as an important tool for mobilizing colonists during the American Revolution. However, propaganda was used in important ways to build support. In this inquiry, students will use primary sources from the Library of Congress to learn about how propaganda was used to ignite the American Revolution.
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Propaganda has been a powerful tool since the advent of the written word, reflecting humanity’s ongoing efforts to influence opinions and shape behavior. During World War II, propaganda reached new heights, exploiting people’s hopes, fears, and uncertainties in a world fraught with chaos and mistrust. With global conflict blurring the lines between friend and foe,…
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The Great Depression brought hardship to the nation as families struggled to make ends meet. Individual efforts sometimes coalesced into collective action as various groups petitioned companies and the U.S. government for support, relief, and fair wages. In this inquiry, students will research a strike, march, or protest to learn what these groups wanted, how…
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This inquiry examines the historical and contemporary factors surrounding the debate over Puerto Rico’s statehood. The compelling question “Should Puerto Rico be a state?” provides students with an opportunity to participate in the debate by focusing on national and cultural identities and the economic arguments for and against Puerto Rico’s statehood. The inquiry embeds Taking…
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Around the world, water helps communities grow food, produce energy, and meet daily needs. At the same time, some people struggle to access clean water, while floods, storms, and droughts can cause destruction and hardship. In this inquiry, students consider how water can be a source of opportunity, inequality, and challenge depending on where and…
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Technology shapes society and identity, both in the past and present. By exploring the role of technology in history, we can better understand how it has shaped the country’s character.
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This inquiry leads students through an investigation of how we respond to the needs of refugee communities. With the example of King Najashi (in the 7th century Kingdom of Aksum, modern Eritrea), students an historical instance of a national leader extending compassion to a refugee community. Students examine contemporary examples of national leaders who do…