Standard 1: Time, Continuity and Change Learners understand patterns of change and continuity, relationships between people and events through time, and various interpretations of these relationships. 1.1 Critique historians interpretations of the past using a variety of sources. 1.2 Identify and evaluate long-term changes, enduring influences, and recurring patterns in world history. 1.3 Compare alternative models for organizing history in to periods. 1.4 Perform analyses of quantitative historical data. 1.5 Analyze the impact of revolution on politics, economics, and societies. 1.6 Understand how ideals and institutions of freedom, equality, justice, and citizenship have changed over time and from one society to another Standard 2: Connections and Conflict Learners understand the causes and effects of interaction among societies, including trade, systems of international exchange, war, and diplomacy 2.1 The following categories are the foundation of the content for Grade 12: a. Environment b. Belief systems (e.g. religion, politics) c. Economics d. Geography/land e. Ethnicity/race/gender f. Culture g. Balance of power Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 1
2.2 Understand how trans-regional alliances and multinational organizations can encourage or discourage: solidarity and diversity/economic growth and development 2.3 Evaluate issues concerning historical and contemporary disparities between ideals and realities. 2.4 Evaluate examples in the history of conflict and its effects. 2.5 Analyze how cooperation and conflict influence the development and control of political, economic, and social entities 2.6 Analyze effects of differing national foreign and domestic policy positions on international competition and cooperation. 2.7 Evaluate effects of political conflict on national unity 2.8 Analyze ways in which trade has contributed to connections and conflict in and among selected societies 2.9 Evaluate relationships between political systems and the development of multi-national alliances. 2.10 Understand types of world powers (e.g. military, corporations, religions) and how they influence connections and conflicts in the world 2.11 Evaluate the effectiveness of international organizations. Standard 3: People, Places and Environment Learners understand the concepts of geography and demography and how geography and demography influence and are influenced by human history 3.1 Explain how the physical environment contributes to the development of distinct cultural identities. 3.2 Use spatial models to explain relationships between places and patterns of settlement and trade 3.3 Explain how social, cultural, and economic factors shape physical and other human features of places and regions 3.4 Evaluate the impact of migration on human systems (e.g. health care, education, government). 3.5 Evaluate the reciprocal influences of history and geography in a region. Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 2
Standard 4: Culture Learners understand cultural and intellectual developments and interactions among and within societies. N.B: In the benchmarks for this standard, the term belief systems refers to an ordered, established body of thinking and faith that influence one s perception of self and the world. It includes such concepts as religion, philosophies (including political and economic), and science. 4.1 Analyze sources and characteristics of cultural, religious, and social reform movements 4.2 Compare the development of Greco-Roman philosophies and science to the origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Hinduism and Buddhism; Confucianism. 4.3 Understand the tension between the two roots of the Western intellectual tradition: Middle Eastern monotheism, and Greek philosophy and Science 4.4 Examine different theories of religion. 4.5 Understand the origins and diffusion of modern science and the intellectual developments and events that have led to a weakening of confidence in modern science. 4.6 Examine examples of syncretism, acculturation, and assimilation in the context of belief systems and culture. 4.7 Evaluate the religious dimensions (creed, code of behavior, rituals, community) of non-belief systems (e.g. communalism, patriotism, activism, consumerism). 4.8 Examine the epistemological complexities of the post-modern age. 4.9 Understand how art, literature, and traditional customs both shape and are shaped by society. Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 3
Standard 5: Society and Identity Learners understand social systems and structures and how these influence individuals. 5.1 Analyze how sociological circumstances (e.g. class, heritage, ethnicity) influence an individual s perceptions of and reaction to the world 5.2 Analyze the socialization of individuals by groups, organizations, and institutions. 5.3 Understand how and why cultures reflect and reinforce oppositional ideas of gender (e.g. hard and soft, strong and weak, sun and moon ). 5.4 Understand why cultural definitions of gender identity persist and are resistant to change 5.5 Understand circumstances and consequences that arise from differences between cultural norms and personal gender equity and/or sexual orientation. 5.6 Understand limits of socialization and the power of choice in personal identity. Standard 6: Governance and Citizenship Learners understand why societies create and adopt systems of governance and how these systems address human needs, rights, and citizen responsibilities. 6.1 Understand strengths and weaknesses of various kinds of political philosophies 6.2 Analyze how and why governments distribute benefits and burdens 6.3 Analyze how social, economic, and political conditions contribute to the establishment and preservation of governments. 6.4 Evaluate issues regarding distribution of powers and responsibilities within national governments 6.5 Understand major responsibilities of national governments for domestic and foreign policy 6.6 Evaluate how public opinion influences politics 6.7 Explain the roots of contemporary political systems. 6.8 Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of alternative means of achieving specific political objectives 6.9 Explain the importance of shared political and civic beliefs and values, and of economic prosperity, to the preservation of constitutional democracy. 6.10 Evaluate the role of voluntarism and organized groups in society and their relationship to the functions of government/civil society. 6.11 Evaluate the role of law in political systems Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 4
6.12 Evaluate how the media communicate, shape, and control ideas in political life/public life. 6.13 Evaluate functions and responsibilities of, and challenges to, government leaders and public servants. Standard 7: Production, Distribution, and Consumption Learners understand fundamental economic principles and ways in which economies are shaped by geographic and human factors 7.1 Understand basic economic concepts 7.2 Explain the major economic systems and evaluate their relative merits 7.3 Explain patterns of trade from ancient times to the present 7.4 Analyze and evaluate ways in which trade has contributed, and currently contributes, to economic change in selected societies or civilizations. 7.5 Analyze relationships between economic activity and patterns of trade and migration. 7.6 Analyze and evaluate economic issues from a geographical point of view 7.7 Describe reciprocal influences of changes in transportation and communication and changes in trade and economic activities 7.8 Analyze and evaluate basic economic theory through a range of current circumstances and a variety of situations. 7.9 Understand the role of economics in promoting international cooperation and mutual understanding Standard 8: Science, Technology, and Society Learners understand how societies have influenced and been influenced by scientific developments and technological developments 8.1 Evaluate the ambiguity of the term technology 8.2 Understand why different socio-economic groups within a culture may react differently to technological innovation 8.3 Analyze effects of technology on the diffusion of culture and the preservation of cultural identity. 8.4 Evaluate whether changing technologies create new ethical dilemmas or make existing ethical dilemmas 8.5 Understand historical and current influences of modern science on technological innovation Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 5
8.6 Evaluate whether confidence in modern science is strengthening or weakening 8.7 Understand that the principal contexts of technological innovation and scientific research are commercial and military and understand the implications of these contexts. 8.8 Evaluate causes and consequences of the diffusion of the autocatalytic process of technological innovation 8.9 Describe how values, beliefs, and attitudes have influenced and been influenced by scientific knowledge and technological knowledge 8.10 Analyze instances in which economic conditions have influenced and been influenced by scientific developments and technological developments. 8.11 Explain the roles and effects of technology and of science in resource acquisition and use 8.12 Analyze social, moral, ethical, religious, and legal issues arising from technological developments and scientific developments Standard 9: Economics Only Learners understand the basic economic principles and use economic reasoning skills to analyze the impact of economic systems (including market economy) on individuals, families, businesses, communities and governments: 9.1 Analyze and evaluate how economic systems impact the way individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies make decisions about resources and the production and distribution of goods and services 9.2 Analyze and evaluate the patterns of trade, exchange and interdependence between all countries 9.3 Understand the problems faced by developing countries and some of the solutions to these problems 9.4 Identify and explain the importance of markets and the role played by demand and supply 9.5 Analyze and evaluate strategies available to governments to obtain macroeconomics objectives Project Aero Social Studies Standards Updated August /Merris PS Page 6