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Standards Index: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1:
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Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.

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Why the Supreme Court Endorsed, Then Limited Affirmative Action
Students will examine contemporary and historical Supreme Court cases dealing with affirmative action.

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The Secret C.I.A. Operation That Haunts U.S.-Iran Relations
Students will learn about Operation Ajax, a C.I.A. orchestrated plot to overthrow Iran's prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who was viewed as a threat to Western oil interests. The coup eventually fueled a 1979 revolution, and the decline of American influence.

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Brown v. Board of Ed and Busing Promised Integration. Why Are Schools Still Segregated?
Students will learn why much of the school integration achieved through cross-town busing has unraveled over the last few decades.

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Why Supreme Court Confirmations Have Become So Bitter
Students will examine the nomination and confirmation process for Supreme Court Justices and learn why the judges often reveal so little.

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Genetically Modified Food
Students will learn how the rise of genetically modified food sparked controversy and transformed modern agriculture. They will also consider how the video could be updated to reflect more recent developments.

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The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Students will learn about the 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota and examine political decision-making as it relates to public works projects.

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McCarthyism: Populism and the Press
Students will learn how Joseph McCarthy rode to power on a wave of anti-communist fears, and how television contributed to both his rise and fall.

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Harvesting the Rain
Students will explore the issue of water sustainability by examining the distribution of fresh water on Earth and using a physical model to simulate the implementation of rainwater harvesting practices.

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The Indian Child Welfare Act
Students will learn about how for generations, Native American children were removed from their homes and placed with white families. A recent Supreme Court ruling affirms the rights of Native families and tribes, giving them preference in adoption and foster care.

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Poll Watchers and the Long History of Voter Intimidation
Students will examine primary and secondary sources related to voter intimidation to determine how integrity of elections can be ensured.

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Unprepared: Lessons From Two Massive Oil Spills
Students will learn about the Exxon Valdez and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spills, as well as examining the long-term effects on ecosystems and coastal communities.

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Why We Can't Have a Civil Conversation About Guns
Students will learn about the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and how decades later, lawmakers and the American public continue a debate over gun control.