
The Middle East and the War on Terror
Introduction:
On September 11th, 2001 there were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage and $3 trillion in total costs. These attacks fundamentally shifted American foreign policy and began our current War on Terror. In this unit we are going to try to explore the causes, key events, and consequences of this event, focused around the below key questions:
1. What were the causes and effects of 9/11, both within the United States and internationally?
2. How should we define terrorism? What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter?
3. To what extent is terrorism a threat to the United States and the international community?
4. How should the United States and international community respond to the threat of terrorism at home and abroad?
5. To what extent has the war on terror been a success?
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 analyze a number of primary and secondary sources drawn from the Choices series Response to Terrorism. 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.
Argumentative Writing (Assessment = Policy Paper for Debate on War on Terror)
Writing 1: Focus/Thesis: 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 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 and Research)
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!

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What are the key beliefs of Islam?
Blind Kahoot with Presentation

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How does the geography of the Middle East influence the conflicts that we see today?
HW:Complete 9/11 Interview and Notes

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How did the events of September 11th 2001 change the United States and its role in the world?

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How does/do the history and characteristics of Iraq shape its modern experience of the War on Terror and Iraq War?

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To what extent was the War in Iraq justified?
A Justified War?: Document Analysis Activity

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How can political cartoons be used to understand political debates taking place in a country?
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How can they be useful to historians studying an event/time period?

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How has the global community, and in particular the U.S., responded to terrorism/terrorist threats?
Links for Defining Suspicious Activity
SAR Indicators
SAR Examples
PBS-Defining Supicious Activity
Tualatin Police
City of Portland

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What is ISIS and how has its rise shaped our most current responses to terrorism?
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Is ISIS like other terrorist organizations, or does it present new problems?

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To what extent have the counter-terrorism measures put in place in the last 15+ years been effective in making the American public safer?
OPVL Attempt #2

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How does the government determine who receives enhanced surveillance and to what extent is that justified?
Rise and Fall of ISIS

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?
Historical Thinking Assessment

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?
Example of News Commentary
A Closer Look
Introduce News Commentary Assignment
Select Topic and Begin Research
Complete Video Planning
HW: Complete Plan of Segment

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?
Write Segment Script and Peer Review
HW: Complete Script and Submit to Google Classroom

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?
Review Script with Ms. C or Mr. J
Link to Wevideo Academy
Sign in with Google Account and Join our Class
Begin Filming/Producing Segment
HW: Film and Produce Segment

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?
Post Production of Segment
Add Effects, Music, etc..
HW: Complete News Commentary Segment

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To what extent has the War on Terror been a success?