Evolution of America: A RUSH Capstone Project 

 
Objective:​ Follow a theme throughout the decades and use historical evidence to explain how that theme 
reveals changes about America. 
 
Possible Themes​: 
 
● Movies   ● International Relations  ● Crime and Punishment 
● TV Shows  ● International Conflicts  ● Race Relations 
● Music   ● Popular Icons   ● Women’s Rights 
● Sporting Events  ● Best Presidents  ● LGBTQ Rights 
● Technology  ● Political Priorities  ● Native Americans Rights 
● Fashion  ● Connections to Today’s  ● Other? (​ Must be 
● Economy   Issues  approved by teacher. 
 
Essential Question​: What does this theme teach us about Americans in each decade? 
 
For your theme, you will need to: 
- Explain why the [​ theme] ​appealed to people. 
- Explain how the [​ theme] ​ revealed the priorities of society. 
- Explain how ​[theme] ​ may have promoted or reflected changes in society. 
- Explain whether any aspects of the [​ theme] ​ created division or unity within the country. 
(This is a list to get you started, any other observations about America will be essential for creating a 
compelling Capstone project.) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructions​:​ ​You will determine your theme early in the class. Throughout the term, you will have designated 
time to research the specific aspects of your theme as it relates to each decade (the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and the early 
2000s). Your goal will always be to apply your historical thinking skills to the topic so you can learn more about 
Americans during that time period. At the end of the term, you will put everything together to create a compelling 
Capstone Project to teach the class about the Evolution of that theme in America.   

RUSH Capstone Project 1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RUSH Capstone Project 2
1970s​ ​Research and Notes 
 
 
 
RUSH Unit in General:

Who were the presidents of this decade? What did I think of them and why?

→ Can you make any connections between the presidents and your theme?

What were some of the main social, political, international, or economic events I learned about? What did I
think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between these topics and my theme?

Research for YOUR THEME - Be ready to teach us something new:

→ What do I need to find out about this decade and my theme?

Research (Document source citations, helpful evidence, quotes, and statistics):

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

RUSH Capstone Project 3

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

Reflections and ANALYSIS - Addressing Supporting Questions

Explain why the ​[theme] 

appealed to people.

Explain how the ​[theme]  

revealed the priorities of society.

Explain how ​[theme] ​ may have 

promoted or reflected changes 
in society.

Explain whether any aspects of 

the [​ theme] ​ created division or 
unity within the country.

[​Other Supporting Question​]

[​Other Supporting Question​]

What questions do you still have

as you get ready to learn about
the next decade?

RUSH Capstone Project 4

1980s​ ​Research and Notes 
 
 
RUSH Unit in General:

Who were the presidents of this decade? What did I think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between the presidents and my theme?

What were some of the main social, political, international, or economic events I learned about? What did I
think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between these topics and my theme?

Research for YOUR THEME - Be ready to teach us something new:

→ What do I need to find out about this decade and my theme?

Research (Document source citations, helpful evidence, quotes, and statistics):

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

RUSH Capstone Project 5

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

Reflections and ANALYSIS - Addressing Supporting Questions

Explain why the ​[theme] 

appealed to people.

Explain how the ​[theme]  

revealed the priorities of society.

Explain how ​[theme] ​ may have 

promoted or reflected changes 
in society.

Explain whether any aspects of 

the [​ theme] ​ created division or 
unity within the country.

[​Other Supporting Question​]

[​Other Supporting Question​]

What questions do you still have

as you get ready to learn about
the next decade?

RUSH Capstone Project 6

1990s​ ​Research and Notes 
 
 
RUSH Unit in General:

Who were the presidents of this decade? What did I think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between the presidents and my theme?

What were some of the main social, political, international, or economic events I learned about? What did I
think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between these topics and my theme?

Research for YOUR THEME - Be ready to teach us something new:

→ What do I need to find out about this decade and my theme?

Research (Document source citations, helpful evidence, quotes, and statistics):

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

RUSH Capstone Project 7

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

Reflections and ANALYSIS - Addressing Supporting Questions

Explain why the ​[theme] 

appealed to people.

Explain how the [​ theme]  

revealed the priorities of society.

Explain how ​[theme] ​ may have 

promoted or reflected changes 
in society.

Explain whether any aspects of 

the [​ theme] ​ created division or 
unity within the country.

[​Other Supporting Question​]

[​Other Supporting Question​]

What questions do you still have

as you get ready to learn about
the next decade?

RUSH Capstone Project 8

2000s​ ​Research and Notes 
 
 
RUSH Unit in General:

Who were the presidents of this decade? What did I think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between the presidents and my theme?

What were some of the main social, political, international, or economic events I learned about? What did I
think of them and why?

→ Can I make any connections between these topics and my theme?

Research for YOUR THEME - Be ready to teach us something new:

→ What do I need to find out about this decade and my theme?

Research (Document source citations, helpful evidence, quotes, and statistics):

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

RUSH Capstone Project 9

Source Citation Credibility? Quotes, historical evidence, statistics

Reflections and ANALYSIS - Addressing Supporting Questions

Explain why the ​[theme] 

appealed to people.

Explain how the [​ theme]  

revealed the priorities of society.

Explain how ​[theme] ​ may have 

promoted or reflected changes 
in society.

Explain whether any aspects of 

the [​ theme] ​ created division or 
unity within the country.

[​Other Supporting Question​]

[​Other Supporting Question​]

What questions do you still have

as you get ready to learn about
the next decade?

RUSH Capstone Project 10

Project Planning - THINKING ABOUT THE FINAL PRODUCT AND PRESENTATION

What format might I want to think about creating?

What materials would I need?

Are there any ​pictures​ I would like to utilize? (Goal - utilize at least five pictures.)

Are there any ​speeches​ or ​quotes​ I would like to highlight? (Goal - use at least three quotes.)

Are there any ​events​ I would like to analyze?

Are there any ​major changes​ from this decade?

RUSH Capstone Project 11

RUSH Capstone Project 12