In this lesson, students review historical political events that occurred in Germany after WWI and how the failure of the Weimar Republic led to the rise in power of Adolf Hitler. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will further consider the causes and effects of the failure of democracy in the Weimar Republic.

In this lesson, students review evidence of global effects of rising global temperatures, and then consider what (if anything) should be done about it. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students take part in a mock Global Warming Summit meeting and take on roles representing various countries. The culminating task of the lesson will be for students to write a legally binding international treaty on global warming that all represented nations would be willing to sign.

In this lesson, students investigate international labor standards and how human rights might be violated due to globalization. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, the class will decide what global worker rights the WTO should enforce as part of all free-trade agreements. Students will discuss the pros and cons of proposed international labor rules, make any changes to the rules they believe necessary, and decide whether or not the rules should be adopted.

In this lesson, students explore the origins and implementation of the Qing Code in Chinese history. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students will investigate a criminal case and act as they think judges would during the Qing Dynasty.

In this lesson, students will review the rise of imperialism, rebellion, and rise of nationalism in India. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will consider the evidence presented in the article and decide whether Nana Sahib was an Indian patriot or an outlaw. Then they will debate in small groups.

In this lesson, students consider how the invention of movable-type printing encouraged the spread of knowledge, discoveries, and literacy in Renaissance Europe and also contributed to the Protestant Reformation. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will list the gains and losses for our own society due to the "internet revolution."

In this lesson, students review the history of turmoil in Haiti and the issue the U.S. faced in how to assist Haitian refugees during the 1990s. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will write down their opinion on the issue and then work with a small group to brainstorm possible actions the UN and the U.S. could take regarding the Haitian refugees.

In this lesson, students read about the life and achievements of Harriet Tubman. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students discuss what makes a great leader and evaluate Tubman's leadership qualities.

In this lesson, students examine milestones and challenges in the movement for women's rights. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will discuss equality between males and females in education, drawing on their own experiences.

In this lesson, students read about how the Ten Commandments and many other elements of Hebrew law provided a major source for the development of western legal systems and democracy. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students discuss whether the Ten Commandments should be posted in public school classrooms.

In this lesson, students learn about the life of Henry Clay and his tenure as Speaker of the House. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will consider current controversial issues and discuss which should be open to compromise and which should not.

In this lesson, students learn about two early historians. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will participate in 2 news conferences where Herodotus will answer questions from the press on the Persian Wars and Thucydides will answer questions about the Peloponnesian War.

This study of Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau is designed to give students an understanding of the ideas of these four philosophers and is also an opportunity for them to reflect on humanity's need for order and efforts to create stability within the social community. In the first part of the unit, activities focus student awareness on the nature of government itself and then progress to close reading and writing centered on the specifics of each philosopher's views. Large-group and small-group discussion as well as textual evidence are emphasized throughout. In the second part of the unit, students are asked to engage in creative writing that has research as its foundation. Collaboration, role-playing, and a panel discussion
are fundamental parts of the culminating activity. Options for further writing activities and assessments close the unit.

In this lesson, students learn about the development of the welfare system as a response to the Great Depression. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students debate about who should be responsible for welfare based on four different proposed positions. After a class-wide discussion, students will write an editorial explaining why the position they support is the most preferable.

In this activity, students read and discuss how women won the right to vote.

In this lesson, students explore how the first state constitutions provided the building blocks for the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students investgate the use of "religious tests" in the state constitutions.

In this lesson, students learn about Petrarch and how he gave birth to the movement of European humanism. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will write a series of letters - one to a person that they have studied in world history and one letter to the American people of today.

This lesson explores the Federalist Papers. First, students engage in a discussion about how they get information about current issues. Next, they read a short history of the Federalist Papers
and work in small groups to closely examine the text. Then, each small group presents its ideas to the class as a catalyst for further, large-group discussion. Finally, students work in small groups to research a Federalist or Anti-Federalist and role-play this person in a classroom debate on the adoption of the Constitution. Writing activities follow that allow students to use their understanding of the history and significance of the Federalist Papers.

In this lesson, students examine the third branch of government (judicial) and its early origins in the framing of the Constitution. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students work in triads to review the article from a specific perspective (President, Chief Justice, and Senate Majority Leader).

In this lesson, students review Andrew Jackson's policy of removing the Cherokees and other Southeastern tribes from their homelands to the unsettled West. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students evaluate six Native American policy proposals and discuss which one the United States should adopt.