MICHIGAN
TEST OBJECTIVES
FIELD 610: POLITICAL SCIENCE

Social Studies and Citizenship
Political Thought and Comparative Government
United States Government
Michigan History and Government

SOCIAL STUDIES AND CITIZENSHIP

Understand the United States economic system.

Includes basic principles of free enterprise and competition; and the roles of government and individuals in the United States economic system.

Understand forces that determine the beliefs and values of individuals and groups.

Includes the relationship of societal values to individual beliefs and attitudes; and the interaction among individuals, groups, and cultures in determining beliefs and values.

Understand basic rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship.

Includes legal rights and protections; and personal responsibilities.

Understand United States society and culture.

Includes basic characteristics and values; characteristics of ethnic cultures; social movements and reforms; and elements of discrimination in American society.

Apply procedures for locating and gathering information.

Includes selecting and using appropriate reference sources; and note-taking skills.

Apply procedures for translating, synthesizing, and organizing information.

Includes interpreting, synthesizing, and organizing information; and categorizing data.

Apply critical thinking skills in social studies.

Includes drawing conclusions from stated information; evaluating sources of information; and assessing the validity of conclusions.

Apply problem-solving and research skills.

Includes topics or thesis statements; problem-solving steps; and research methods or models for solving problems.

Understand the geographic and economic history of the United States (to 1914).

Includes the physical and resource characteristics of regions of the United States; the effects of geographic factors on settlement patterns; the effects of technological innovations on business, industry, and agriculture; and major American business, industry, and labor leaders.

Understand the social and political history of the United States (to 1914).

Includes characteristics of various Native American cultures; the causes and effects of ethnic and racial immigrations; and the causes and effects of the Civil War.

POLITICAL THOUGHT AND COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

Relate political philosophies and structures of ancient civilizations to the development of modern governments.

Includes the major contributions of ancient civilizations; and the relationship of the political philosophies and structures of ancient Greece and Rome to the development of modern governments.

Relate political philosophies and structures of the medieval and early modern era to modern governments.

Includes characteristics of the feudal system; the development of the English constitution and parliamentary system through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; and the development and philosophical basis of absolutist forms of government.

Relate political philosophies and events of the Age of Revolution to the development of modern governments.

Includes theories and theorists; causes and effects of political revolution; and effects of the American Revolution on the development of modern governments.

Relate political philosophies and structures of the nineteenth century to the development of modern governments.

Includes the development of socialist, communist, and capitalist systems in response to industrialism; and nationalism as a force in nineteenth century political development.

Identify characteristics of modern democratic governments.

Includes political, economic, and social characteristics.

Identify characteristics of modern authoritarian governments.

Includes political, economic, and social characteristics.

Identify characteristics of modern totalitarian governments.

Includes political, economic, and social characteristics.

Compare the characteristics of various forms of government.

Includes political, economic, and social characteristics.

Understand problems and characteristics of governments in developing countries.

Includes governments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Understand the nature of diplomacy between governments.

Includes principles and functions of diplomacy; and major figures and events in twentieth-century diplomacy.

Understand United States foreign policy.

Includes United States foreign policy in relation to Europe, the Middle East, communist countries, and developing countries; and the causes and effects of United States involvement in foreign affairs and international conflicts.

Understand relations among Western nations.

Includes purposes and members of Western alliances; major figures and events; the nature of agreements; and the nature of conflict among Western nations.

Understand relations between Eastern and Western nations.

Includes major figures and events in the development of relations; factors and changes involved in the balance of power; terms and parties of trade agreements; and the nature of conflict between Eastern and Western nations.

Understand the purposes and forms of international organizations.

Includes the goals and structures of the United Nations and government­related international agencies (e.g., International Monetary Fund).

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Understand the governments of the American colonies.

Includes the political and economic relations between the colonies and England; the structure and functions of governments in the original colonies; and major figures and events.

Understand the American Revolution.

Includes political and economic causes; and major figures and events.

Understand the establishment of the United States government.

Includes elements of the Articles of Confederation; principles of the Declaration of Independence; major figures and events; and political philosophies involved in the establishment of the United States government.

Understand the United States Constitution.

Includes major figures and events involved in development and ratification; principles of the Constitution; and basic elements of the Bill of Rights.

Understand United States political history since independence.

Includes major figures, events, and trends in the history of the United States since independence.

Understand the development of political parties in the United States.

Includes the functions of parties in the United States political process; and major political campaigns, elections, issues, and leaders affecting the development of United States party politics and policies.

Understand the executive branch of the federal government.

Includes the structure, functions, and powers of the executive branch.

Understand the judicial branch of the federal government.

Includes the structure, functions, and powers of the judicial branch; and historic Supreme Court decisions.

Understand the legislative branch of the federal government.

Includes the structure, functions, and powers of the legislative branch; and major steps in the legislative process.

Understand the system of checks and balances in United States government.

Includes the principles of checks and balances and division of power involving the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the federal government.

Understand the relationship of government to the United States economic system.

Includes the role of the federal government and agencies in the regulation of the economy; and the relationship of government taxation, budgets and expenditures to the economy.

Understand the structures and functions of state and local governments.

Includes forms and functions of state and local governments; and social and economic issues confronting local governments.

Understand principles of division of power in state and local governments.

Includes the principles of division of power within state government and among federal, state, and local governments.

Understand the election process.

Includes basic principles of the federal election process; major steps and processes in political elections; and factors that may influence an individual’s political beliefs and behaviors.

Understand the functions of and influences on the modern United States government (e.g., pressure groups, special interests).

Includes major roles of the modern federal government and the effects of pressure groups, special interests, and public opinion on the modern federal government.

MICHIGAN HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT

Understand the history of Michigan.

Includes major figures and events in the political, social, and economic history of Michigan; geographical and cultural influences; and the role of Michigan during the Civil War and during Reconstruction.

Understand the development of modern Michigan.

Includes economic growth; social and cultural influences; and the relationship of geographic and resource factors to development.

Understand the development of Michigan government.

Includes Michigan’s political parties and constitutions of 1835, 1850, 1908, and 1963; and major figures, issues, and events related to the development of Michigan government.

Understand the structure of Michigan government.

Includes the structure and components of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of Michigan government; and ways in which a citizen can participate in the Michigan political process.

Understand the functions of Michigan government.

Includes the functions of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of Michigan government; and the principles of checks and balances as they apply to Michigan government.

Understand political processes of post— World War II Michigan.

Includes election trends and processes; and major political issues, figures, and events.