FWIW - dnn 72 introduced a new script registration system that goes a long way towards starting to deal with the initial issue that I discussed in the original post.

We use jquery where needed in many of our modules - and I dont see a reason why you would NOT choose to make use of it as needed.

Also dnn includes built in Accordian and tabs style controls of its own that can be used to achieve the sort of functionality you are talking about.
Have a look at the Admin->SiteSettings module or pretty much any core module - they all make use of tabs and various types of acccordian systems.

In addition - with webapi also being a full class citizen you can make use of ajax dynamic population - have a look at the dnn Journal module its all ajax based dynamic loading.

Westa