Essential Questions

1.	Power- How has power been gained, used, and lost in American society?
2.	Citizen Involvement- How have individuals and groups influenced and altered American government and society.
3.	Role of the U.S. in the world- How has the U.S. influenced and been influenced by other nations?
4.	American dream- How have American’s goals of freedom, equality, and opportunity changed over time?

 

Illinois Learning Standards

State Goal 14	Understand Political Systems, with an emphasis on the United States
State Goal 15	Understand Economic Systems, with an emphasis on the United States
State Goal 16	Understand events, trends, individuals, and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States, and other nations
State Goal 17	Understand World Geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States
State Goal 18	Understand Social Systems, with an emphasis on the United States

Course Objectives

Students will:
1.	Describe the shifts and trends in American political and economic power. (14, 16)
2.	Compare and contrast historical events and present- day events. (16)
3.	Explain the causes and consequences of reform movements among American citizens. (16)
4.	Discuss the factors that caused ideas to become accepted and rejected by the American public. (16)
5.	Analyze the changing role of the U.S. in the world. (14, 16)
6.	Analyze the motives of migrating patters throughout American history. (14, 15, 16, 17)
7.	Explain how the definition of freedom has changed over time. (16, 18)