High School Social Studies

Unit 1 - Social Science Skills: Elements of Culture and Global Perspectives

August

Overview

This introductory mini-unit is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamental concepts, skills, and tools used by social scientists to understand and analyze cultures around the world. Throughout this unit, students will develop their abilities in source analysis (primary and secondary) and data analysis (maps, scale analysis, etc.) while exploring various aspects of culture and considering multiple perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on essential vocabulary and media literacy to foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the complexity of cultures. By the end of this unit, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of the concept of culture but also develop essential skills used by social scientists to explore and analyze cultures from a variety of perspectives. These skills, including source analysis, data analysis, and media literacy, will equip students with critical thinking abilities that can be applied across various academic disciplines and in real-world contexts.

The highlighted evidence outcomes are the priority for all students, serving as the essential concepts and skills. It is recommended that the remaining evidence outcomes listed be addressed as time allows, representing the full breadth of the curriculum.

Students Can (Evidence Outcomes):

History: 1.1.a. Formulate compelling and supporting questions after evaluating primary sources for point of view and historical context.
History: 1.1.b. Gather and analyze historical information to address questions from a range of primary and secondary sources containing a variety of perspectives. For example: Perspectives of historically underrepresented groups.

Geography: 2.1.a. Analyze variations in spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales while gathering geographic data from a variety of valid sources. For example: Maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), graphs, and charts.
Geography: 2.1.b. Create and interpret maps to display and explain the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics using geospatial and related technologies.
Geography 2.1.c. Evaluate relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic relationships using maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations.

Prepared Graduates

1. Apply the process of inquiry to examine and analyze how historical knowledge is viewed, constructed, and interpreted.

2. Analyze historical time periods and patterns of continuity and change, through multiple perspectives, within and among cultures and societies.

3. Apply geographic representations and perspectives to analyze human movement, spatial patterns, systems, and the connections and relationships among them.

4. Examine the characteristics of places and regions, and the changing nature among geographic and human interactions.

Grade Level Standard(s)

GLE: History 1: Apply the historical method of inquiry to formulate compelling questions, evaluate primary and secondary sources, analyze and interpret data, and argue for an interpretation defended by textual evidence.

GLE: Geography 1: Use geographic tools and resources to analyze Earth’s human systems and physical features to investigate and address geographic issues.

Essential Skills

Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts, including multilingual (Interpersonal Communication).
Interpret geographic information and draw conclusions based on geo-spatial analysis (Critical Thinking and Analysis).
Historical thinkers use questions generated about multiple historical sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources.
Historical thinkers use primary and secondary sources to evaluate and develop hypotheses and diverse interpretations of historical events and figures and patterns and trends.
Historical thinkers evaluate the credibility of a source by examining how experts value the source.
Geographic thinkers understand how geographic reasoning brings societies and nature under the lens of spatial analysis, and aids in personal and societal decision making and problem solving.
Geographic thinkers gather, display, and analyze geographic information using geographic tools.
Geographic thinkers use absolute and relative location, mental maps, and spatial orientation in studying geographic questions.

Inquiry Questions

How does the point of view of a historian affect how history is interpreted?
Do historians come to agreement on the historical significance of events? If so, how?
How does studying a variety of perspectives allow us to construct a more complete record of the past?
Why are historical questions important?
How do historical thinkers use primary and secondary sources to formulate historical arguments?
How have different cultures influenced world history?
How do historians work from/with cultural assumptions to decide what is important in world history?
What ideas transcend cultural, political, economic, and social differences in world history?
How does cultural, political, economic, and social diversity affect perceptions of change over time?
What is the significance of spatial orientation, place, and location?
How have the tools of a geographer changed over time?

Disciplinary, Informational and Media Literacy

Analyze in detail how a complex primary and/or secondary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole.