Unit 1: The U.S.

Role in a Changing World

Overview
In this unit, students will analyze the forces that impact the role of the U.S. in the world, and they will
examine several significant issues facing the global community today: economy, human health and
the environment, international relations, and culture and values. Students will also examine important
turning points in the history of U.S. foreign policy and analyze how policies and security concerns of
today connect to the issues from the past. For a complete overview of the unit, please read page 1 of
the Student Resource and page 2 of the Teacher Resource for The U.S. Role in a Changing World.
Note to Teachers
The Choices Program Supplemental Materials for this unit are located at
http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_usrole.php
This course is designed as a seminar in which student research, reading, writing, and sharing is
expected as part of the course goals. In this unit, teachers should introduce the Independent Study
concept and inform students that they will be choosing a pathway on which to focus their research,
reading, writing, and sharing. Students should be expected to contribute information about their
pathway in each unit. This course structure also provides opportunities for students to demonstrate
expertise in their chosen pathway as their research and knowledge bases extend. Students should
be expected to tie their research, reading, writing, and sharing to the unit topics as well as the course
goals. Students will need to choose their Independent Study pathways by the end of Unit 1. Teachers
may want to consider giving students copies of the Generalizations and Essential Questions from Unit
8 to help guide their research.
Generalizations
1. There are a variety of data collection methods and visual representations that serve different
purposes and provide different types of information.
2. Historical events (including war and conflict), geographic factors, physical and ideological
movements, technological and informational revolutions, political systems, and economic
situations contribute to the development of globalization.
3. Globalization can affect the climate, natural resources, and species of various places, and the
sustainability and depletion of natural resources as well as the preservation and conservation
efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth and development.
4. Globalization can affect immigration, migration, and demographic transition, thereby potentially
creating religious, ethnic, cultural, and or social/human rights conflicts and affecting the adaptive
strategies of some cultural groups.
5. Transnational corporations, supranational organizations, and international nongovernmental
organizations can impact globalization.
6. Comparative advantage, specialization, global trade patterns, and economic growth can influence
the globalization process and possibly lead to economic protectionism for some countries.
7. Political systems and political sovereignty impact the global economy, and international treaties,
charters, agreements, and laws can affect individual geographic areas, various cultures, and
international relationships.
8. Western values such as democracy, individual rights, and capitalism have impacted many nonWestern cultures.
Essential Questions
1. Why and how does proximity affect international relationships?
2. How did the Spanish-American War affect the U.S. role in the world?

21st Century Geography

Unit 1

3. Which conflicts prompted the U.S. to retreat from imperialism, and which others encouraged the
U.S.s imperialism?
4. How did the Allied victory in World War I open new opportunities in international relations?
5. How did Woodrow Wilson impact globalization even though the United States rejected his plan?
6. How did World War II change U.S. attitudes toward foreign affairs?
7. How did post-WWII foreign aid plans (such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan) impact
the global economy while simultaneously influencing the political and economic systems of many
European countries?
8. How did the United Nations and NATO impact the post-WWII global economy and international
relations?
9. How did the Cold War and the arms race impact globalization?
10. What is globalization, and how is globalization today different from that of the past?
11. What has been the role of the United States in globalization, and how can it be viewed both
positively and negatively?
12. What are the effects of economic globalization, and how has the U.S. responded to it?
13. How have U.S. leaders used trade policy to stimulate economic growth through the WTO and
NAFTA?
14. What are the pros and cons of free trade on the global scale, and how does it impact inequality and
poverty?
15. Why have climate and human health become concerns for the international community?
16. How do nongovernmental organizations such as the World Food Program affect global health?
17. What are some of the leading global environmental concerns, and how are international leaders,
including those in the U.S., beginning to deal with them?
18. What unresolved conflicts prevent cooperation among nations on environmental issues?
19. What is the role of international organizations, and what concerns exist about them?
20. What other groups have challenged the role of nation-states in world politics, and how?
21. How have human rights been incorporated into the values of many nations?
22. How and why is the U.S. an international leader in human rights and yet a supporter of nondemocratic governments that abuse human rights?
23. How have presidential doctrines portrayed the U.S. stance on global concerns?
24. How did Iraq challenge the international community in 1990?
25. How did events in Somalia demonstrate problems with humanitarian intervention?
26. Why was the war against Yugoslavia important?
27. How did the Bush administrations anti-terrorism policies cause controversy?
28. Why did the U.S. invade Iraq in 2003, and what has happened since then?
29. How has the Iraq War affected perceptions of the United States?
30. What are the benefits and detriments to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan?
31. How did the killing of Osama bin Laden affect international relations?
32. How has international terrorism (and the global war on terrorism) affected the international
community, international relations, and international perception of the U.S.?
33. How has the issue of nuclear weapons both united and divided the international community?
34. How and why have the nuclear programs of India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran become
concerns for the international community?
35. What international political direction should the United States take in the 21 st century?

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Unit 1

Unit Goals
What do students need to KNOW?

What do students need to be able to DO?

Definition of globalization

Differences between contemporary and historical

globalization

Use various types of maps, charts, and visual

representations to gather and interpret information
and draw conclusions

The role of the U.S. in globalization

Define globalization

Positive and negative views held by the international

community concerning the U.S. role in globalization

Explain differences between contemporary and

historical globalization

Effects of physical location on international

relationships and globalization

Conflicts that encouraged and discouraged

globalization

Analyze the role of the U.S. in globalization and the

positive and negative views held by various factions
of the international community concerning that U.S.
role

Effects of international leaders on globalization

Explain how physical location affects international

relationships and globalization

Impact of the Cold War and the arms race on

globalization

Identify conflicts that encouraged and discouraged

globalization

The changes in U.S. cultural attitudes toward foreign

affairs over the last century

Analyze the effects of international leaders on

globalization

Impact of foreign aid plans on the global economy

and political and economic systems of Western and
non-Western countries

Analyze the impact of the Cold War and the arms race
on globalization

The roles, impacts, and controversies of the

supranational and non-governmental organizations

Explain changes in U.S. cultural attitudes toward

foreign affairs over the last century

Economic effects of globalization and the U.S.

response to it

Analyze the impact of foreign aid plans on the global

economy and political and economic systems of
Western and non-Western countries

The benefits and detriments of the political use of

trade policy to stimulate economic growth

Analyze the roles, impacts, and controversies of the

supranational and non-governmental organizations

Impact of global free trade on inequality and poverty

Leading global environmental concerns

Explain the economic effects of globalization and the

U.S. response to economic globalization

How international leaders, including those in the U.S.,

are dealing with global environmental concerns

Analyze the benefits and detriments of the political

use of trade policy to stimulate economic growth

Unresolved conflicts that prevent cooperation among

nations on environmental issues

Analyze the impact of global free trade on inequality

and poverty

The incorporation of human rights into the values of

many nations, including the U.S.

Groups that have challenged the role of nation-states

in world politics

Identify leading global environmental concerns and

explain how international leaders, including those in
the U.S., are dealing with global environmental
concerns

The potential conflicts between U.S. international

policies regarding human rights abuses

Identify unresolved conflicts that prevent cooperation

among nations on environmental issues

U.S. presidential doctrines regarding the U.S. stance

on certain global concerns

Analyze how human rights have been incorporated

into the values of many nations, including the U.S.

How situations and events in Iraq in 1990 and 2003,

Somalia, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India,
North Korea, and Iran have challenged and changed
international relations, policies, political systems, and
economies

Identify groups that have challenged the role of

nation-states in world politics

Analyze the potential conflicts between U.S.

international policies regarding human rights abuses

Analyze U.S. presidential doctrines regarding the U.S.

stance on certain global concerns

Analyze how situations and events in Iraq in 1990 and

2003, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
India, North Korea, and Iran have challenged and
changed international relations, policies, political
systems, and economies

21st Century Geography

Unit 1

21st Century Geography

Unit 1

I Can Statements

I Can use various types of maps, charts, and visual representations to gather and interpret
information and draw conclusions.

I Can define globalization.

I Can explain differences between contemporary and historical globalization.

I Can analyze the role of the U.S. in globalization and the positive and negative views held by various
factions of the international community concerning that U.S. role.

I Can explain how physical location affects international relationships and globalization.

I Can identify conflicts that encouraged and discouraged globalization.

I Can analyze the effects of international leaders on globalization.

I Can analyze the impact of the Cold War and the arms race on globalization.

I Can explain changes in U.S. cultural attitudes toward foreign affairs over the last century.

I Can analyze the impact of foreign aid plans on the global economy and political and economic
systems of Western and non-Western countries.

I Can analyze the roles, impacts, and controversies of the supranational and non-governmental
organizations.

I Can explain the economic effects of globalization and the U.S. response to economic globalization.

I Can analyze the benefits and detriments of the political use of trade policy to stimulate economic
growth.

I Can analyze the impact of global free trade on inequality and poverty.

I Can identify leading global environmental concerns and explain how international leaders, including
those in the U.S., are dealing with global environmental concerns.

I Can identify unresolved conflicts that prevent cooperation among nations on environmental issues.

I Can analyze how human rights have been incorporated into the values of many nations, including
the U.S.

I Can identify groups that have challenged the role of nation-states in world politics.

I Can analyze the potential conflicts between U.S. international policies regarding human rights
abuses.

I Can analyze U.S. presidential doctrines regarding the U.S. stance on certain global concerns.

I Can analyze how situations and events in Iraq in 1990 and 2003, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, India, North Korea, and Iran have challenged and changed international relations, policies,
political systems, and economies.

21st Century Geography

Unit 1

Aligned Course Essential Standards

G.1 Apply
geographic
skills to
understand the
spatial
relationship
between
humans and
their
environment.

G.2 Analyze the

historical
antecedents
and geographic
factors that led
to the
development of
globalization.

G.3 Analyze
Changes in the
physical
environment as
a result of
globalization.

G.4 Analyze
changes in
culture as a
result of
globalization.

G.5 Analyze
changes in
economics as a
result of
globalization.

G.6 Analyze
changes in
politics as a
result of
globalization.

G.1.1 Compare
various
methods of
data collection
used for
research, such
as land
surveys,
interviews, and
databases.

G.2.1 Interpret
the origin and
processes of
globalization
using historical
and
geographical
perspectives.

G.3.1 Compare
the physical
environments
and the effects
of globalization
on the climate,
natural
resources, and
species of
various places.

G.4.1 Compare
the cultural
characteristics
of various
places and the
effects of
globalization on
those places.

G.5.1 Analyze
transnational
corporations in
terms of their
role in the
globalization
process.

G.6.1 Evaluate
the extent to
which the
political system
of a place
impacts its
involvement in
the global
economy.

G.1.2 Compare
various types of
visual
representations
, such as
traditional and
mental maps,
charts, graphs,
and remote
imaging.
G.1.3 Use
geographic
data and visual
representations
to interpret
spatial
relationships
and to draw
conclusions
about observed
phenomena.

G.2.2 Analyze
how the
movement of
goods, people,
and ideas
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.
G.2.3 Analyze
how various
technological
and
informational
revolutions have
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.
G.2.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which certain
historic/geograp
hic factors
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.

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Unit 1

G.3.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
sustainability
and natural
resource
depletion in
terms of
economic
growth and
development.
G.3.3 Explain
how places are
influenced by
human
perception and
modification of
the
environment.
G.3.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which
preservation
and
conservation
efforts impact
local, national,
and global

G.4.2 Analyze
how
globalization
has created
religious and
ethnic conflict.
G.4.3 Analyze
localism and
ways cultural
groups
maintain their
distinct cultural
characteristics.
G.4.4 Analyze
the impact of
globalization on
population
migration and
demographic
transition.
G.4.5 Analyze
the use of
adaptive
strategies and
preventative
measures by
various cultures
in a global
environment.

G.5.2 Explain
how
comparative
advantage and
specialization
influence the
globalization
process.
G.5.3 Analyze
global trade
patterns in
terms of
natural,
human, and
capital
resource flows.
G.5.4 Evaluate
the effects of
economic
growth on
people and
places in terms
of costs and
benefits.
G.5.5 Evaluate
economic
protectionism
in terms of
costs and
benefits.

G.6.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
political
sovereignty and
globalization.
G.6.3 Analyze
supra-national
organizations in
terms of their
purpose,
development,
and products.
G.6.4 Analyze
international
nongovernment
al organizations
in terms of their
purpose and
contributions.
G.6.5 Analyze
international
treaties,
charters, and
agreements in
terms of their
purpose and
effects on

economies.

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Unit 1

G.4.6 Evaluate
the impact of
globalization on
the
organization
and success of
social and
human rights
movements.

various places.
G.6.6 Explain
the impact of
Western values
such as
democracy,
individual
rights, and
capitalism on
various places.

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies

READING

WRITING

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

R.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support

analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting
insights gained from specific details to an understanding
of the text as a whole.

W.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on disciplinespecific content.

R.11-12.10 Read and comprehend history/social

studies texts in the grade 11-CCR text complexity band
independently and proficiently.

W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts,

including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

Additional Reading Standards:

Additional Writing Standards:

R.11-12.2. Determine the central ideas or information

of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary that makes clear the relationships among the
key details and ideas.

W.11-12.3 not applicable as a separate requirement

R.11-12.3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or

events and determine which explanation best accords
with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing
how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key
term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison
defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
R.11-12.5. Analyze in detail how a complex primary
source is structured, including how key sentences,
paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to
the whole.
R.11-12.6 Evaluate authors differing points of view on
the same historical event or issue by assessing the
authors claims, reasoning, and evidence.
R.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media
(e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
R.11-12.8 Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and
evidence by corroborating or challenging them with
other information.
R.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources,
both primary and secondary, into a coherent
understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies
among sources.

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W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most
significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new
arguments or information.
W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including a selfgenerated question) or solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize
multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced
searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations
of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and
audience; integrate information into the text selectively
to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and
overreliance on any one source and following a standard
format for citation.
W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames
(a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Assessment Options:
W1- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Arguments

After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that argues your position on ____. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past
or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the steps in the foreign policy arena the United States should take over the next ten
years based on the most important problems currently facing the U.S. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on whether cooperation or force is a more effective means to achieve international
goals. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge
competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify
your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on whether human rights issues or environmental concerns should be the primary focus
of international organizations. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure
to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to
illustrate and clarify your position.

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: What steps in the foreign policy arena should the United States take over the next ten
years based on the most important problems currently facing the U.S.? After analyzing a variety
of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and support your position
with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Is cooperation or force a more effective means to achieve international goals? After
analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and
support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views.
Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Should human rights issues or environmental concerns be the primary focus of
international organizations? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay
that addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to
acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate
and clarify your position.

21st Century Geography

Unit 1

W2- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Informative Texts

After reading a variety of texts, write a ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
globalization and explains the U.S. role in it. Support your discussion with evidence from your
research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines global
economy and explains the development and effects of the global economy. Support your
discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your
discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: What is globalization, and what is the U.S. role in it? After analyzing a variety of
written and visual texts, write an essay that defines globalization and explains the U.S. role in it.
Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you
draw?

Example: What is a global economy, how did it develop, and what are its effects? After
analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines global economy and
explains the development and effects of the global economy. Support your discussion with
evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

R1/R10- Literacy Common Core Power Standards: Reading Closely Over Time with a Variety of Grade-Level
Texts

Historical texts (primary and secondary)

Religious texts
Legal texts
Philosophical texts
Literary texts
Artistic representations
Musical representations
Language study

21st Century Geography

Unit 1