9/11 to 2005: Cultural and Political Shifts
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the events of 9/11 and subsequent political decisions reshape American culture, civil liberties, and its relationships with the world between 2001 and 2005?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did the events of 9/11 impact American culture and society?
- What were the major political changes in the United States between 2001 and 2005?
- How did the US relationship with other countries change between 2001 and 2005, and why?
- What role did the media play in shaping public opinion during this period?
- How did specific government policies (e.g., the Patriot Act) impact civil liberties and individual freedoms?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to analyze the cultural and societal impacts of 9/11.
- Students will be able to identify and explain the major political changes in the United States between 2001 and 2005.
- Students will be able to assess the changes in the US relationship with other countries between 2001 and 2005.
- Students will be able to evaluate the role of media in shaping public opinion during the period of 2001-2005.
- Students will be able to examine the impact of government policies, such as the Patriot Act, on civil liberties and individual freedoms.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsContrasting Times
Present students with a series of contrasting news headlines, political speeches and cultural trends from 2001 and 2005. Have students compare and contrast the media. Then, have students write an essay to discuss the change in America's culture and politics.A First-Hand Account
Invite a guest speaker who experienced a major cultural or political shift in the US during 2001-2005 to share their story. After the talk, students conduct interviews and research to corroborate and expand on the speaker's experiences, creating a multimedia presentation that captures the human impact of these changes.Unveiling the Past: Artifact Analysis
Students receive a series of seemingly unrelated artifacts (a news clipping, a photo, a song, an email) from 2001-2005. Working in groups, they must piece together the story these artifacts tell about a specific cultural or political change, presenting their findings as a museum exhibit proposal.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.The Shifting Sands: Political Changes 2001-2005
Students will research and analyze major political changes and policy decisions made in the United States between 2001 and 2005. They will focus on understanding the context, motivations, and consequences of these changes, with a particular emphasis on the shift in national security policies.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA political briefing paper summarizing the major political changes, including an analysis of their impact on American society and governance.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to identify and explain the major political changes in the United States between 2001 and 2005.Global Realignments: US Foreign Relations
Students will investigate how the US relationship with other countries changed between 2001 and 2005, focusing on specific events and policies that shaped these relationships. They will analyze the reasons behind these changes and their implications for global politics.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis report detailing the changes in US relations with three specific countries, including the reasons for these changes and their implications.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to assess the changes in the US relationship with other countries between 2001 and 2005.Framing the Narrative: Media's Influence
Students will examine the role of media in shaping public opinion during the period of 2001-2005. They will analyze news coverage, opinion pieces, and other media content to understand how different media outlets framed events and influenced public perception.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation analyzing the media coverage of a specific event (e.g., the Iraq War) and its impact on public opinion, including examples of biased reporting or propaganda.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to evaluate the role of media in shaping public opinion during the period of 2001-2005.Liberty vs. Security: The Patriot Act Debate
Students will research and analyze the impact of government policies, such as the Patriot Act, on civil liberties and individual freedoms. They will investigate specific provisions of the policies and assess their consequences for individuals and society as a whole.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA debate or panel discussion on the impact of the Patriot Act on civil liberties, with students presenting arguments for and against the policy, supported by evidence and research.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to examine the impact of government policies, such as the Patriot Act, on civil liberties and individual freedoms.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioUS Cultural and Political Changes 2001-2005
Political Changes Briefing Paper
Assessment of students' research, writing, and analytical skills in examining political changes in the US between 2001 and 2005.Research Quality
Accuracy and depth of research into political changes and policy decisions between 2001 and 2005.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional research, providing comprehensive and accurate details of political changes and policy decisions, going beyond the basic requirements.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research, providing accurate and detailed information on political changes and policy decisions.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research skills, with some inaccuracies or gaps in the information presented regarding political changes and policy decisions.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research, with significant inaccuracies or omissions in the information presented regarding political changes and policy decisions.
Clarity and Coherence
Clarity and coherence of the briefing paper, including the organization of information and the use of supporting evidence.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a remarkably clear and coherent briefing paper, skillfully organizing information and using evidence to create a compelling narrative.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and coherent briefing paper, logically organizing information and using supporting evidence effectively.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a briefing paper with some clarity issues, demonstrating inconsistent organization and limited use of supporting evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a disorganized and unclear briefing paper, lacking logical flow and supporting evidence.
Impact Analysis
Analysis of the impact of political changes on American society and governance, demonstrating critical thinking and insight.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an incisive analysis of the impact of political changes, demonstrating exceptional critical thinking and offering profound insights into the effects on American society and governance.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of the impact of political changes, demonstrating effective critical thinking and offering clear insights into the effects on American society and governance.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic analysis of the impact of political changes, showing some critical thinking but limited insight into the effects on American society and governance.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial analysis of the impact of political changes, lacking critical thinking and insight into the effects on American society and governance.
US Foreign Relations Analysis
Evaluation of students' ability to analyze changes in US foreign relations and their global implications.Research Depth
Thoroughness of research into US relations with selected countries before and after 9/11.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptionally thorough research, providing detailed and nuanced information on US relations with selected countries.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research, providing accurate and detailed information on US relations with selected countries.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research skills, with some gaps or inaccuracies in the information presented on US relations with selected countries.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research, with significant gaps or inaccuracies in the information presented on US relations with selected countries.
Analysis Clarity
Clarity and effectiveness of the comparative analysis report, including the identification of key events and policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a remarkably clear and effective comparative analysis report, skillfully identifying key events and policies that influenced US foreign relations.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and effective comparative analysis report, logically identifying key events and policies that influenced US foreign relations.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a comparative analysis report with some clarity issues, demonstrating inconsistent identification of key events and policies.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a disorganized and unclear comparative analysis report, lacking a logical identification of key events and policies.
Analytical Insight
Insightfulness of the analysis regarding the reasons for changes in US relations and their implications for global politics.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an incisive analysis of the reasons for changes in US relations, demonstrating exceptional insight into the implications for global politics.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of the reasons for changes in US relations, demonstrating clear insight into the implications for global politics.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic analysis of the reasons for changes in US relations, showing some insight into the implications for global politics.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial analysis of the reasons for changes in US relations, lacking insight into the implications for global politics.
Media Influence Analysis
Assessment of students' ability to analyze media influence and its impact on public opinion.Event and Source Selection
Selection of a specific event and the range of media sources gathered for analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsChooses a highly relevant event and gathers an exceptional range of diverse media sources, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic.
Proficient
3 PointsSelects a relevant event and gathers a good range of media sources for analysis.
Developing
2 PointsSelects a somewhat relevant event and gathers a limited range of media sources.
Beginning
1 PointsSelects an irrelevant event and gathers a very limited range of media sources.
Media Analysis
Depth of analysis of media coverage, including identifying bias, framing, and propaganda techniques.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an exceptionally deep and nuanced analysis of media coverage, skillfully identifying subtle biases, framing techniques, and propaganda with sophistication.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of media coverage, clearly identifying bias, framing, and propaganda techniques.
Developing
2 PointsOffers a basic analysis of media coverage, identifying some instances of bias, framing, and propaganda techniques.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial analysis of media coverage, struggling to identify bias, framing, and propaganda techniques.
Presentation Effectiveness
Clarity and persuasiveness of the presentation summarizing the findings and discussing the media's impact on public opinion.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers a remarkably clear and persuasive presentation, synthesizing complex information with exceptional skill to create a compelling argument regarding the media's impact on public opinion.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear and persuasive presentation, effectively summarizing the findings and discussing the media's impact on public opinion.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a presentation with some clarity issues, demonstrating inconsistent summarization of findings and discussion of the media's impact on public opinion.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a disorganized and unclear presentation, lacking a logical summary of findings and discussion of the media's impact on public opinion.
Patriot Act Debate
Evaluation of students' ability to analyze the impact of government policies on civil liberties and individual freedoms through debate and argumentation.Policy Research
Depth of research into the Patriot Act and other relevant government policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptionally thorough research, providing detailed and nuanced information on the Patriot Act and other relevant government policies, exceeding expectations.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research, providing accurate and detailed information on the Patriot Act and other relevant government policies.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research skills, with some gaps or inaccuracies in the information presented on the Patriot Act and other relevant government policies.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates limited research, with significant gaps or inaccuracies in the information presented on the Patriot Act and other relevant government policies.
Argumentation
Clarity and effectiveness of arguments presented for and against the policies.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents exceptionally clear and compelling arguments both for and against the policies, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of different perspectives.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents clear and effective arguments for and against the policies, demonstrating a good understanding of different perspectives.
Developing
2 PointsPresents arguments for and against the policies with some clarity issues, demonstrating an inconsistent understanding of different perspectives.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents disorganized and unclear arguments, lacking a logical understanding of different perspectives.
Debate Participation
Quality of participation in the debate or panel discussion, including the ability to defend arguments with evidence and respond to counterarguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsParticipates in the debate with exceptional skill, persuasively defending arguments with compelling evidence and responding to counterarguments with sophistication and insight.
Proficient
3 PointsParticipates actively in the debate, effectively defending arguments with evidence and responding to counterarguments.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in the debate with some inconsistencies, demonstrating difficulties in defending arguments with evidence and responding to counterarguments.
Beginning
1 PointsParticipates passively in the debate, struggling to defend arguments with evidence and respond to counterarguments.