This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the importance words have in easing or escalating diplomatic tensions. By investigating the compelling question “Can words lead to war?”, students evaluate the historical context of American tensions with North Korea. The formative performance tasks build on knowledge and skills through the course of the inquiry and help students trace the evolution of the contemporary Korean Conflict through an analysis of how contemporary American presidents have communicated in general and specifically with North Korea. Students create an evidence-based argument about whether words can lead to war, and about the implications of social media for international diplomacy.
Login to add Inquiry to Stack
About the inquiry
Compelling Question
Can Words Lead to War?
Staging Question
Discuss the impact of words within particular historical eras while viewing a video clip from Aljazeera: “Trump Escalates Threats on North Korea as Tensions Rise.”
1
Supporting QuestionHow do world leaders use the media to communicate their messages?
Formative TasksMake a timeline of the historical evolution of media used by world leaders to communicate their messages.
SourcesSource A: Article, “8 Presidential Communication Firsts,” Nick Keppler, MentalFloss.com
Source B: Article, “How Presidents Communicate with the Public Will Surprise You,” K. C. Morgan, RealClear Politics
2
Supporting QuestionHow have contemporary American presidents communicated with North Korea?
Formative TasksMake a Venn diagram illustrating how presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump have communicated with North Korea.
SourcesSource A: Article, “How Trump’s Predecessors Dealt with the North Korean Threat,” Russell Goldman, New York Times
Source B: Article, “Trump’s Year of Taunting, Teasing and Threatening Kim Jong-un,” Julie Vitkovskaya, Washington Post
3
Supporting QuestionWhat historical events from the Korean Conflict might escalate current diplomatic tensions?
Formative TasksCreate an infographic describing US diplomatic tensions with North Korea during the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations.
SourcesSource A: Article, “Trump’s North Korea Tweets Renew Debate over Nuclear Authority,” Ashleigh Killough, CNN
Source B: Article, “The U.S. and North Korea on the Brink: A Timeline,” Priyanka Boghani, PBS Frontline
Source C: Speech, Kim Jong-un responding to Trump’s UN address, National Committee of North Korea Database
Summative Performance Task
Argument: “Can words lead to war?” Construct an argument (e.g., an essay, outline, or poster) that responds to the compelling question using specific claims and relevant evidence from the sources provided, as well as one other source, while acknowledging competing views.
Extension: Using the argument as a foundation, engage in an informed debate or Socratic Seminar responding to the compelling question, “Can words lead to war?”
Taking Informed Action
No data found.