Introduction:
Formally brought into existence on November 1st, 1993, the European Union was the actualized dreams of European politicians following the destruction of World Ward and the division of the Cold War. An organization of diplomatic and economic cooperation, the EU attempts to use negotiation and cooperation to find peaceful resolutions to problems that had previously driven the continent into war. In this unit, we will explore the historical events that shaped this alliance and discuss the current dilemmas it faces in the 21st Century. More specifically our unit will focus on the below key questions:

1. What are the current issues facing the European Union and how does identity play a role?

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2. What are the historical roots of European national identity and how were they challenged and confirmed by the First World War?

3. What were the political, economic, social and diplomatic costs of World War I and how did they lead to competing political ideologies?
 

3. What were the consequences of World War II and how did they shape the institutions that emerged after the war to protect against them from happening again?
 

4. What were the causes of the Cold War and how did this division cause western European nations to begin to think collectively?
 

5. How did the end of the Cold War facilitate the creation of the European Union?
 

6. What are the political and economic challenges the EU has faced as it has grown and added more members?

Resources:Our resources for this unit will be drawn from the variety of news sources and class resources that will all be made available on the website. We will also be accessing articles about the EU through Newsela, either electronically or printed. Students are expected to keep all provided resources in their binders. If you ever miss a class and do not receive a hard copy of a resource, please download and print one from the unit calendar.

Assessment
Throughout our unit you will learn content and practice historical skills to help demonstrate mastery of the below standards. These standards will be used to design assessment rubrics and to report on your attainment in World History.

Expository/Argumentative Writing (Assessment =History Textbook)

Writing 1: Focus/Thesis/Theme: I can clearly develop and identify the main point of my writing.
Writing 2: Evidence/Historical Details: I can use a variety of types of evidence to support my main point. 
Writing 3: Historical analysis: I can create a cogent and compelling argument.
Writing 4: Social Studies Writing: I can organize my ideas, write using proper citations, and use a variety of writing strategies. 

Historical Thinking/Concepts (Assessment = Historical Skills Assessment)
HT1: Significance (Identifications): I can define key terms and explain how they are important to the understanding of the historical topic.
HT 2: Cause and Effect: I can explain the causes and effects of complex historical events.
HT 3: Perspectives (OPVL Source Analysis:I can analyze the value and limitations of a variety of types of sources in regards to studying history.HT HT 4: Change & Continuity: I can explain how themes in history have remained the same and how they have changed.

Life Skills (2)
LS 1: 21st Century Life Skills: I can collaborate with my peers to discuss and support complex ideas, and use technology responsibly to explore the past and present. (Formative Tasks/Research Skills)
LS2: 21st Geography: I can effectively apply geographic and skills to better interpret the past

Unit Calendar

The calendar outlines the plan for our day to day in class activities and the homework that will be assigned. The expectation is that students complete all homework assignments for the next lesson unless otherwise indicated on the calendar. While we would like this to be set in stone, unforeseen events and intriguing tangents might change the plan so if you are ever in doubt on what is due and when, please ask!