River Civilizations
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Subject: Social Studies
Time Frame: 8 weeks (October-December)
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Big Understandings
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- use a variety of primary and secondary sources from multiple perspectives to formulate an appropriate thesis supported by evidence
- the historical context of significant current events, groups, ideas, and themes within regions of the Eastern Hemisphere and their relationships with one another
- analyze the civic similarities and differences within governmental systems in the Eastern Hemisphere
- nations in various regions of the Eastern Hemisphere interact with international organizations, govern, organize, and impact their societies in different ways
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Essential Questions
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- why is continued questioning of historical events beneficial?
- how can various primary and secondary perspectives in history be beneficial in understanding past and current issues?
- why is it advantageous to identify historical roots of change?
- how can an artifact be utilized to interpret history?
- how does the rise or collapse of a government affect surrounding societies over time?
- how have ideas fundamentally changed various cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere?
- how has technology shaped the development of civilizations?
- what key ideas from ancient Eastern Hemisphere eras continue to demonstrate importance in modern times?
- how do international laws and organizations help encourage ethical governmental practices?
- how do the aggressive actions of a nation influence other nations and international organizations?
- what factors lead to cooperation, competition, or aggression between societies?
- why do governments form alliances and join international organizations?
- what are fundamental human rights?
- how can governmental policy lead to problems or help solve problems?
- what is the purpose of government?
- how can governments encourage interaction between societies and international organizations?
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By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
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- utilize primary and secondary sources to explain the interdependence and uniqueness among peoples in the Eastern Hemisphere during significant eras or events; including the influence on modern society (the silk road and cultural diffusion, and the Chinese inventions of gunpowder and compass)
- examine primary and secondary sources to identify points of view while formulating historical claims and questions (art, eyewitness accounts, letters and diaries, artifacts, historical sites, charts, graphs, diagrams, and written texts
- identify and explain the historical context of key people, regions, events, and ideas; including the roots of current issues (Mansa Musa, the conflicts in the Middle East, the Black Death, and Confucianism)
- investigate and evaluate the social, political, cultural, and technological development of regions in the Eastern Hemisphere (the river valley civilizations, Hammurabi's Code, the Hellenistic period, and the printing press)
- describe the interactions and contributions of various peoples and cultures that have lived in or migrated within/to the Eastern Hemisphere (conflicts over land and resources between countries, the foundations of world religions, East/West contact, settlement patterns, and the historical roots of current issues)
- describe civic virtues and principles that guide governments and societies (citizenship, civic participation, and rule of law)
- analyze the opportunities and limitations of civic participation in societies in the Eastern Hemisphere
- Give examples illustrating the interactions between nations and their citizens (Apartheid, human rights violations, and one-child policy of China)
- identify public problems and research ways in which governments address those problems (hunger, disease, poverty, and pollution)
- explain the origins, functions, and structure of different governments (dictatorship, totalitarianism, democracy, socialism, and communism)
- evaluate and analyze how various governments and organizations interact, resolve their differences, and cooperate (the African Union (AU), treaties, and diplomacy)
- investigate examples of collaboration and interdependence between international organizations and countries (the Red Cross, World Health Organization, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO))
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Topics:
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â—¦ Explore these themes through the lens of ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt
â—¦ Asks the question, “what makes a culture civilized?”
â—¦ Asks the question, “are there universal criteria for the development of civilization?”
â—¦ Geography, maps
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Standards
SS.7.1.1
SS.7.1.2
SS.7.3.1
SS.7.3.2