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**Welcome to Grade 11 United States History.**

 * Essential Questions ||
 * What are the social, economic and political impacts of illegal drug use and trafficking in the United States since World War II? ||
 * What are the social, economic and political impacts of violent crime in the United States since World War II? ||

This year (2012) an Oklahoma Senate committee let a bill die that would have required a prescription for decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, a building-block ingredient of illegal methamphetamine. The bill still remains alive in the house.
 * Scenario**
 * 1**

The bill is opposed by the powerful pharmaceutical lobby, Oklahoma State Medical Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association and the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians.

Last year, 900 meth labs were seized in Oklahoma. The Governor's task force has estimated Oklahoma's meth problem costs the state $1,000,000,000 annually.

//Crime in the United States// published by the FBI reports a decline in violent crimes in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
 * 2**

While the national average of violent crimes has decreased, Oklahoma's violent crime rates have increased. "In 2009, Oklahoma had the eleventh highest rate of violent crime in the United States, with 501 reported crimes per 100,000 residents" (Council of State Governments, 2).In 2011 there were 17,725 violent crimes in Oklahoma. Violent crimes negatively impact society socially, and economically. There are also political ramifications of violent crimes.

**Task**
Team members will choose scenario one or two as a focus for this assignment. Each team will begin by completing a [|KWL chart] and participating in a brief conference with the SLMS or classroom teacher to guide their research. Students will use the [|I-Search] research strategy for this task.

__Scenario #1__ Each team will research the history of post WWII illegal drug use and trafficking in the United States. The team will research the impact the illegal meth industry has on the state of Oklahoma. The social, economic and political effects of this industry should be considered.

The team is a part of the Bartlesville High School Students Against Methamphetamines organization. Create a digital product (presentation or video) designed to inform the state legislators of the impact the illegal use of meth and trafficking is having on the state of Oklahoma. The product should present information that supports or argues against the current legislation in the Oklahoma House that is addressing the meth industry. Supporting evidence is to be included which reveals socitial, economic and political effects.

__Scenario #2__ Each team will research the history of post WWII trends of violent crime in the United States. The team will research the impact violent crime is having on the state of Oklahoma. The social political and economic effects should be considered.

The team is a part of the Bartlesville High School Students Against Violence organization. Create a digital product (presentation or video) designed to inform state legislators of the impact violent crime is having on the state of Oklahoma. This product should compare Oklahoma's violent crime statistics to the national averages and trends. The product should also present supporting evidence and reveal the societal, economic and political effects of violent crime. Presentation should propose a solution to the current violent crime problem.

Council of State Governments Justice Center. //Justice Reinvestment in Oklahoma: Overview.// New York: Council fo State Governments Justice Center, 2011. Web.