Inquiries Filed Under:

United States Senate

About the inquiry

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of representation in the Senate. The fact that representation in the U.S. Senate ignores the size of each state’s population has both benefits and challenges. As students work through the supporting questions, formative tasks, and featured sources, they are able to explore those benefits and challenges and decide for themselves if a change in Senate representation is warranted.Participate in a Harkness discussion addressing the central question in the article, “Are cows better presented in the Senate than people?”

Compelling Question

Does the Senate Represent U.S.?

Staging Question

Participate in a Harkness discussion addressing the central question in the article, “Are cows better presented in the Senate than people?”

Supporting Question

Who does the Senate represent?

Formative Tasks

Create an infographic representing the demographic makeup of the United States.

Sources

Source A: Religious Makeup of the United States, Public Religion Research Institute, 2021. Source B: Education, Income, and Poverty in the United States, The United States Census Bureau, 2021. Source C: Racial makeup of the United States, The United States Census Bureau, 2021. Source D: Age Group and Gender in the United States, The United States Census Bureau, 2021.

Supporting Question

Who is represented in the Senate?

Formative Tasks

Participate in a Jigsaw comparing the demographics of the United States to the Senate.

Sources

Source A: “The religious composition of the 117th Congress,” Pew Research Center, 2021. Source B: This Senate is the oldest in American History. Should we do anything about it? The Washington Post, 2021. Source C: In the nearly 232-year history of the US Senate there have only been 11 Black Senators, CNN, 2021. Source D: Cory Booker said the Senate Is 'dominated by millionaires.' Is that true?, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2020. Source E: The changing face of Congress in 7 charts, Pew Research Center, 2021.

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Does the Senate Represent U.S.? Construct an argument using specific claims and relevant evidence to address the compelling question.

Extension:

Taking Informed Action

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