United States Government: Democracy in Action

Chapter 22: Policy and Defense

Student Web Activity

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, you will glimpse a part of each department's responsibilities.

Destination Title: Department of Defense/Department of State

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for Tips.

Directions
• From the home page, click on "Defense and International" and then click on "Agencies and Organizations."
• Scroll down and click on "Defense Department (DOD)."
• Click on "Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)."
• Under the heading "Press Resources" on the right side of the screen, click on "Today in DOD." Read the information.
• Use the back arrow key once. Scroll down and click on "Advanced Systems and Concepts."
• Above the cards, click on "all featured cards here." Study the various military technologies.
• Use the back arrow key until you get back to the "Defense and International Relations Agencies and Organizations" page. Scroll down to "State Department" and click on it.
• Under the heading "Quick Links" on the right side of the screen, click on "Travel Warnings." Note the countries listed.
• Use the back arrow and select a story from the State Department site to read.

Use the information you found to answer the following questions.

1
From the "Today in DOD" page, identify the secretary of defense and list today's media events on the secretary's schedule.
2
What are three technologies developed by the Department of Defense's Advanced Systems and Concepts group?
3
Who is the current secretary of state?
4
Identify three countries on the "Travel Warnings" page. When were they added to the list?
5
In one paragraph, summarize the State Department story you read.
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