Curriculum Modules

The Foreign Relations of the United States series, published by the United Stated Department of State's Office of the Historian, is one of the world's most comprehensive series of primary source documents. Inaugurated in 1861 during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, the series celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2011. It seemed a fitting tribute to bring this series, long valued by professional researchers, foreign policy experts, and college students, to a new audience—secondary school teachers and their students.

As timely as today's headlines, When the Border Vanishes enters the new world of 21st century diplomacy where emerging threats transcend our borders and threaten our long-term security. This presentation goes beyond the headlines to explore the roots of our attitudes toward environmentalism and conservation and link those attitudes to our beliefs about our borders and how we define "our" natural resources.

In February 1784, one of the world’s newest countries sent a trading ship to one of the Earth’s oldest civilizations. Thus began the story of the relationship between the peoples of the United States and China. Over the course of the next 225 years, the United States became a superpower, while imperial China was transformed into a modern nation, ready to assume its place on the 21st century stage.

Today in Washington: The Media and Diplomacy is an instructional package that explores the interaction between diplomats and reporters throughout our history, and examines the ways that both have used the media to deliver messages about international affairs.

Sports and Diplomacy in the Global Arena is an instructional package that explores the relationship between sports and diplomacy throughout history. The video begins with the creation of the Olympics in ancient Greece and continues through the present day.

A History of Diplomacy is an instructional package providing an overview of American diplomacy as it evolved from the colonial period through the present day. The video is presented in two parts: the first half ends with World War II, while the second half spans the period 1945 through the present day.

Terrorism: A War Without Borders was produced by the United States Department of State in collaboration with a special committee of social studies educators. The video, print materials, and other resources in this package are intended for use with middle school and high school courses.