Social Studies Middle School Guide

​Unit 3​

​World Religions​

​PACING​

​THEME(S)​

​3-4 Weeks​ ​This is recommended for the weeks​ ​between Thanksgiving and Winter Break.​

​A Note About Themes​

​Conflict​ ​Compromise​ ​Progress​

​UNIT OVERVIEW​ ​Students will compare how the transformation and changes of the post-classical era (c.500 - c.1500) set​ ​in motion the expansion of knowledge through science, language, writing,​ ​religion​ ​, and​ ​technological innovations. They will understand how this created and encouraged a global​ ​interconnectedness between distant societies and civilizations that ripples into modern history.​ ​UTAH STANDARDS​ ​World History 6.1.2​ ​Throughout their study of world​​history, recognize the origins of major world​ ​religions (including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism).​ ​Evaluate the role religion played in the development of civilizations, colonization, imperialism, and​ ​independence movements.​ ​World History 6.2.1​ ​Summarize key tenets of the major​​world religions (including Buddhism,​ ​Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism)​ ​POSSIBLE GUIDING​ ​AND INQUIRY​ ​QUESTIONS​ ​●​ ​What role does religion play in the cultural expression of a civilization?​ ​●​ ​How do ideas and belief systems unite or divide groups of people?​ ​●​ ​How are ideas and belief systems a driving force in history?​ ​●​ ​How can we explain the central role religion has played in human history? (e.g. the arts,​ ​architecture, government, education, family structure)​ ​VOCABULARY​ ​Clergy​ ​Crusade​ ​Excommunicate​ ​Polytheism​ ​Prophet​ ​Religion​

​Holy Land​ ​Monarchy​ ​Monotheism​

​Sacred​ ​Temple​