Student Web Activity Lesson Plans

Chapter 22: Policy and Defense

Introduction
In the executive branch, two departments are mainly responsible for U.S. foreign policy. The Department of State carries out foreign policy. The Department of Defense is responsible for guarding the national security of the United States. In this activity, students will glimpse a small part of each department's responsibilities.

Lesson Description
Students will explore the usa.gov Web site. They will scroll through the Department of Defense, and then the Department of State. Students will answer four questions and then summarize a State Department story.

Instructional Objectives

Learners will comprehend the large number of support agencies in the Department of Defense and the Department of State.
Learners will identify some of the technologies of the Department of Defense.
Learners will recognize the responsibility of the Department of State to warn travelers to foreign countries.
Learners will identify a State Department story of interest and summarize it.

Student Web Activity Answers

Answers will vary. Students should identify the current secretary of defense. As of March 2009, Dr. Robert M. Gates was Secretary of Defense.
Technologies will vary. Sample answers: the hearing pill, the mine-protected clearance vehicle "buffalo," Internet router in space, the Zephyr (unmanned solar-powered surveillance aerial vehicle).
Hillary Clinton was confirmed as secretary of state in 2009.
Answers may include any three of the following: Haiti, 01/28/2009; Philippines 01/27/2009; Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 01/15/2009; Burundi 01/08/2009; Sri Lanka 12/22/2008; Cote d'Ivoire 12/15/2008; Georgia 2/12/2008; Zimbabwe 12/12/2008; Nigeria 12/02/2008; Nepal 11/21/2008; Pakistan 11/21/2008; Eritrea 11/15/2008; Somalia 11/15/2008; Chad 11/14/2008; Kenya 11/14/2008; Yemen 11/10/2008; Democratic Republic of the Congo 10/30/2008; Sudan 10/02/2008; Iran 09/15/2008; Lebanon 09/10/2008; Afghanistan 09/10/2008; Algeria 08/22/2008; Colombia 08/07/2008; Saudi Arabia 07/09/2008; Uzbekistan 07/03/2008; Iraq 06/13/2008; Syria 04/15/2008; Central African Republic 03/25/2008.
Paragraphs will vary. Encourage students to analyze sites under the heading "Youth & Education."