NAC389.511. Social studies.


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  • By the beginning of high school, pupils must know and be able to do everything required in the previous grades for social studies offered in public schools. Instruction in high school in social studies must be designed so that pupils meet the following performance standards by the completion of high school:

         1. For the area of social study skills:

         (a) Acquire and apply skills of reading, writing and oral communication to construct knowledge, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Read text using reading strategies, including, without limitation, strategies that employ prior knowledge, use key vocabulary words and employ context clues.

              (2) Read text for a specific purpose, including, without limitation, to identify cause and effect relationships, to compare and contrast information, to identify fact and opinion and to identify author bias.

              (3) Respond to historical texts and other social studies literature by inferring, drawing conclusions, making predictions and formulating questions pertaining to history, geography, economics and civics.

              (4) Process or synthesize information by writing, taking notes, using graphic organizers, summarizing, sequencing events or formulating thesis statements, or any combination thereof.

         (b) Acquire, organize, use and evaluate information that prepares a pupil to be an active, informed and literate citizen, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Formulate appropriate research questions.

              (2) Conduct research by gathering, organizing and evaluating the credibility and bias of information from a variety of online, print and nonprint resources.

              (3) Process, effectively communicate and present information orally, in writing and by developing websites, using multimedia presentations and using other forms of technology.

              (4) Critically analyze messages in the media to identify propaganda, censorship and bias.

              (5) Create, interpret, analyze and detect bias in maps, graphs, charts and diagrams.

              (6) Demonstrate and advocate legal and ethical behaviors regarding the use of technology among peers, family and the community.

              (7) Collaborate with peers, experts and other persons to contribute to a knowledge base with a specific content, including, without limitation, contributing to weblogs, podcasts and other types of digital media or websites, to compile, synthesize, produce and disseminate information.

         (c) Demonstrate historical comprehension by analyzing and interpreting historical documents and artifacts that present alternative voices, accounts and interpretations or perspectives on past events, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Analyze patterns of historical continuity and change and to think chronologically.

              (2) Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary resources for perspectives of historical events.

              (3) Differentiate between historical memory and historical fact.

              (4) Apply social studies to situations involving actual events that are currently taking place.

              (5) Extract significant ideas from social studies resources and frame questions pertaining to history.

              (6) Use primary and secondary resources to analyze and interpret history.

              (7) Compare multiple perspectives of historical events using a variety of resources.

              (8) Analyze and interpret primary resources to answer a historical question.

         (d) Demonstrate skills which prepare a pupil to be an active, informed and literate citizen, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Demonstrate responsibility for the well-being of himself or herself, his or her family and the community in which he or she lives.

              (2) Discuss issues and events that have an impact on persons at local, state, national and global levels.

              (3) Actively participate in civics and community life at the local, state, national and global levels.

              (4) Seek information from a variety of sources and perspectives to develop informed opinions and creative solutions.

              (5) Ask meaningful questions and analyze and evaluate information and ideas.

              (6) Identify resources and perspectives that influence the formation of opinions and creative solutions.

              (7) Use effective decision-making and problem-solving skills in public and private life.

              (8) Collaborate effectively as a member of a group.

         2. For the area of history:

         (a) Understand the development, characteristics and interaction of persons, cultures, societies, religions and ideas, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Assess the impact of the Industrial Revolution on race, class and gender.

              (2) Discuss the influences of American industrialists on the rise of corporate capitalism.

              (3) Assess the impact of technological innovations and urbanization on the social and economic development of society.

              (4) Define the term “nativism” and explain the political and social responses to immigration into the United States.

              (5) Identify the causes of labor movements in the United States and analyze the consequences of those movements.

              (6) Explain how social movements of the 20th century led to the emergence of a pluralistic society.

              (7) Evaluate how cultural developments in the arts, literature, architecture, education, media and leisure activities reflected and changed society.

              (8) Discuss the effects of early technologies on society, including, without limitation, communication, transportation and manufacturing technologies.

              (9) Explain how trade causes cultural diffusion.

              (10) Compare and contrast the characteristics of dominant world cultures.

              (11) Analyze how and why Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism acquired new adherents in various parts of the world.

              (12) Examine the impact of scientific, technological, mathematical, cultural and artistic developments of the Renaissance on societies around the world.

              (13) Explain the causes of the Reformation and the effects the Reformation had on Europe and the Americas.

              (14) Identify the influence of the Enlightenment on the Western World, including, without limitation, the influence on philosophy, science, fine arts, government and literature.

              (15) Analyze the cultural, social and economic changes that occurred as a result of industrialization.

              (16) Analyze how industrialization, migration, changing diets and advances in science and medicine have affected demographics across the world.

         (b) Understand the influences of persons, events, ideas and conflicts in the development of nations, empires, cultures and political and economic ideas, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Summarize the concepts and results of the American Revolution and post-revolutionary outcomes as they apply to the 20th century.

              (2) Summarize the concepts and results of the Civil War and Reconstruction as they apply to the 20th century.

              (3) Analyze how different cultures, points of view and self-interests influence compromise and conflict over territories, borders and resources.

              (4) Describe the final settlement of the American West and the federal policies toward Native Americans, including, without limitation, the Dawes Act, the Plains Wars and the reservation system.

              (5) Assess the contributions of immigrant groups to the development of the United States.

              (6) Define the term “imperialism” and discuss the impact of imperialism on the political relations of the United States with other nations.

              (7) Discuss the causes and consequences of expansion policies and diplomatic policies of the United States.

              (8) Discuss the economic and political effects of World War I on the United States.

              (9) Describe the causes and consequences of the Great Depression.

              (10) Analyze the policies and programs of the New Deal and the effects those policies and programs had on political, economic and diplomatic institutions.

              (11) Describe the cultural, economic, political and technological impact of World War II on the United States.

              (12) Describe the causes and effects of the change in demographics and the development of suburbanization in the United States.

              (13) Explain the effects of Cold War policies on the involvement of the United States in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

              (14) Examine the changes in political culture of the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, including, without limitation, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Watergate scandal and the Iranian hostage crisis.

              (15) Explain the economic, political and technological impact on the United States of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War and the War on Terrorism.

              (16) Examine the roles of nationalism, imperialism and religion in the building and development of nations.

              (17) Describe the rise of commercial trading centers and their effects on social, political and economic institutions around the world.

              (18) Explain the development of monarchies and the effect those monarchies had on centralized government, commerce, trade and religion.

              (19) Explain how Greek and Roman civilizations influenced the development of democratic and republican governments in modern societies.

              (20) Analyze the development of the nation-state and explain how nation-states are different from empires and other forms of political organizations.

              (21) Explain why and how shifts in global power happened after World War I and World War II.

              (22) Explain how the dissolution of the Soviet Union and other Eastern European communist governments resulted in the formation of new nations.

              (23) Explain the objectives of a variety of independence movements and analyze political factors that contributed to changes in nations.

              (24) Discuss examples of contemporary ethnic conflicts and explain how those conflicts changed nations.

              (25) Discuss major reasons for tensions and conflicts in the contemporary world and efforts that have been made to address those tensions and conflicts.

         (c) Understand the influences of social ideas and personal action on social, political, economic and technological change, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Describe important persons in the movement to expand rights of African Americans and explain their struggle to expand those rights during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

              (2) Describe the rise of corporations and analyze working conditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

              (3) Analyze the contributions of inventors and innovators that led to a change in society.

              (4) Determine the causes and effects of the Populist and Progressive Movements.

              (5) Analyze major social movements in the United States and explain the impact those movements had on changing social and political culture.

              (6) Examine social tensions in the post-World War I era, including, without limitation, radical politics, restrictions on immigration, internal migration, religious fundamentalism and racism.

              (7) Describe the development of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the subsequent passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

              (8) Explain how the social and economic opportunities of the post-World War II era contributed to social responsibility and change.

              (9) Identify and describe the major issues, events and persons of minority rights movements, including, without limitation, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Black Power Movement, the United Farm Workers, the American Indian Movement, Viva La Raza and the Women’s Rights Movement.

              (10) Analyze how post-World War II science and technology augmented the economic strength of the United States, transformed the daily lives of persons and influenced the world economy and politics.

              (11) Compare and contrast the social impact on the United States of the Cold War and the War on Terrorism.

              (12) Analyze major events reported by the media and the impact of those events at the local, state, national and global levels.

              (13) Compare and contrast racial segregation in the United States with racial and social policies of other nations, including, without limitation, apartheid in the Republic of South Africa.

              (14) Explain the impact of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism on political and social structures around the world.

              (15) Analyze the responses of persons to restrictive social and political systems.

              (16) Analyze how the ideals and institutions of freedom, equality, justice and citizenship have changed.

              (17) Evaluate the worldwide implications of advancements in nuclear, electronic, computer and medical technologies.

              (18) Explain how literature, music and art are used by persons to voice their opposition to or support for a cause and encourage social change.

              (19) Determine the causes and consequences of genocidal conflicts, including, without limitation, the Holocaust and the conflicts in Armenia, Bosnia, Darfur and Rwanda.

              (20) Analyze the causes, consequences and moral implications of ethnic conflicts around the world.

              (21) Explain the changing role of race, class and gender.

              (22) Explain how literature, music, the media and visual arts affect social change.

              (23) Examine the ideals and institutions of freedom, equality, justice and citizenship and explain how they have changed.

              (24) Understand how border disputes among nations reflect and influence the conceptions and identities of societies.

         (d) Understand the interactions and interdependence among nations around the world and the impact of economics, politics, religions and cultures on international relationships, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Describe and interpret the causes and effects of World War I and World War II on the relationship between the United States and Europe.

              (2) Discuss key persons, ideas and events of the Cold War era and analyze their impact on economic and political policies in the United States.

              (3) Analyze how international policies contributed to the end of the Cold War.

              (4) Identify and analyze trends in domestic and foreign affairs of the United States from the end of the Vietnam War to September 11, 2001.

              (5) Discuss the impacts of conflicts on the United States economic, political and social position in the world, including, without limitation, the impact of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War and War on Terrorism.

              (6) Analyze how major sources of tension or conflict influence the current political climate in the United States, including, without limitation, September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act and security issues.

              (7) Describe the strategic, political and economic policies of the United States concerning the Middle East, Latin America, Mexico, immigration, trade and the environment.

              (8) Explore the influence of popular culture in the United States on other nations and the influence of popular culture in other nations on the United States.

              (9) Evaluate the influence of the cultural ideas of the United States on other nations.

              (10) Explore the influence of various cultures from around the world on the United States.

              (11) Explain the impact of imperialism and colonial rule on persons in Africa, Asia and South America and the independence movements that resulted from imperialism and colonial rule in those areas.

              (12) Describe the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution, including, without limitation, Marxism, Leninism and Bolshevism.

              (13) Discuss the causes, characteristics and consequences of European and Japanese imperialism before World War II.

              (14) Analyze the causes, courses and effects of World War I and World War II.

              (15) Describe the significance of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the influence of international and economic factors that contributed to the end of the Cold War.

              (16) Examine the decline of colonial rule and the development of independent nations.

              (17) Describe the rise of totalitarian societies in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

              (18) Explain the impact of world commerce on the relationships between developed nations and developing nations.

              (19) Describe the contributions of the social, political and economic characteristics of modern civilizations in Latin America, Africa, China, India and Japan.

              (20) Describe tensions in contemporary Islamic countries concerning the reconciliation of traditional and Western influences.

              (21) Analyze the political and religious factors that contribute to instability in the Middle East.

              (22) Describe how political and economic alliances affect persons and countries.

              (23) Describe how global issues, including, without limitation, human rights, the environment, regional conflicts and health issues, affect nations.

              (24) Analyze how the contemporary political climate has changed personal and national security within and among nations.

         3. For the area of geography:

         (a) Use maps, globes and other geographic tools and technologies to locate and extrapolate information about persons, places and environments, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Use map elements, including, without limitation, scale, to identify and locate physical and human features in the United States and the world.

              (2) Analyze and interpret geographic information by selecting appropriate maps, map projections and other representations, including, without limitation, urban planning and national parks.

              (3) Apply concepts and models of spatial organization and use quantitative methods to identify and make decisions about geographic information.

              (4) Analyze a variety of complex maps, including, without limitation, topographic, demographic and land use maps, to acquire geographic information.

              (5) Construct complex, accurate maps and models from memory to answer questions about locations of human and physical features.

              (6) Analyze maps for purpose, accuracy, content and design.

              (7) Analyze and interpret physical and human features on Earth using appropriate geographic tools and technologies.

              (8) Select and design maps, graphs, diagrams, tables or charts to organize geographic information using a variety of technologies.

         (b) Understand the physical and human features of places, and use that information to define and study regions and their patterns of changes, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Determine how relationships between humans and the environment lead to the development of connections among places and regions.

              (2) Explain why characteristics of places change.

              (3) Apply the concept of region to organize and study a geographic issue.

              (4) Analyze selected historical issues, demographics and questions using the geographic concept of regions.

              (5) Explain why places and regions are important to cultural identity and serve as forces for both unification and fragmentation.

              (6) Compare characteristics of places and regions from different perspectives.

              (7) Determine how tools affect the way cultural groups perceive and use resources within places and regions.

              (8) Use absolute and relative location, including, without limitation, longitude and latitude, to locate prominent countries, cities and physical features in different regions of the world.

         (c) Understand how economic, political and cultural processes interact to shape patterns of human migration and settlement, influence and interdependence, and conflict and cooperation, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Analyze demographic trends in the world.

              (2) Evaluate the impact of migration and settlement on physical and human systems.

              (3) Analyze the development of civilizations and the impact that development has on the changes and progress of human development.

              (4) Compare characteristics and patterns of rural and urban migration and settlement in developed and developing countries.

              (5) Evaluate why major cities develop in particular geographic locations and how their development affects cultures.

              (6) Analyze and evaluate international economic issues from a spatial perspective.

              (7) Analyze how location and distance connect to influence economic systems at local, national and international levels.

              (8) Evaluate changes in the size and structure of cultural, political and economic organizations.

         (d) Understand the effects of interactions between human and physical systems, and changes in the use, distribution and importance of resources, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Analyze how changes in the physical environment can increase or diminish the capacity of the environment to support human activity.

              (2) Describe ways in which technology has affected the human capacity to modify the physical environment, and evaluate the possible regional or global impact of the technology.

              (3) Develop possible responses to changes caused by human modification of the physical environment.

              (4) Analyze human perception of and response to natural hazards, including, without limitation, use, distribution and importance of resources.

              (5) Analyze the patterns of use, the changing distribution and the relative importance of the resources of the earth.

              (6) Develop policies for the use and management of the resources of the earth that consider the various interests involved.

         4. For the area of economics:

         (a) Understand how scarcity and incentives affect choices, how markets work, why markets form, how supply and demand interact to determine the market price and how changes in prices act as economic signals to coordinate trade, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Analyze choices and incentive systems used by parents, teachers, employers and governments using the concepts of total benefits and opportunity costs, using the concepts of the impact of marginal costs and marginal benefits and evaluating effectiveness.

              (2) Analyze how consumers adjust their purchases in response to changes in price using the concept of price elasticity.

              (3) Assess how producers can adjust their sales decisions in response to changes in price using the concept of price elasticity.

              (4) Evaluate career paths taking into consideration the specific skills required for a career, the wages that may be earned in a career, the impact of the skills of a person on the wages he or she can earn and the response of wages to market demand.

              (5) Analyze markets using the concepts of supply and demand, including, without limitation, the impact of changes in supply on prices, the impact of changes in demand on prices and the impact of price controls.

         (b) Identify indicators used to measure economic performance, understand important aspects of how the economy acts as a system, and understand the roles of money, interest rates, saving and borrowing, financial institutions and the central banking system in the economy, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Describe the current money supply measures of the United States, including, without limitation, M1 and M2.

              (2) Explain the three functions of money, including, without limitation, the medium of exchange, the store of value and the unit of account.

              (3) Explain why a real interest rate accurately measures the benefit of saving or the cost of borrowing, and indicate ways a high interest rate could be detrimental or beneficial.

              (4) Explain what a credit rating is and how it affects the ability to access loans.

              (5) Compare the risks and rewards of using the services offered by different financial institutions.

              (6) Explain how the circular flow of economic activity can affect the income of the United States.

              (7) Analyze the potential production of goods and services for a nation as determined by the resources and technology of the nation.

              (8) Explain how the Federal Reserve influences bank loans, the inflation rate of the economy and economic activity in general using the reserve requirement, the discount rate and open market operations.

              (9) Explain how government fiscal policy may affect the rate of unemployment by influencing production, employment and price levels.

              (10) Describe how standards of living in the United States have changed over time using real gross domestic product per capita as a measure of the standard of living.

              (11) Define the term “recession” and examine the economy of the United States over time using the change in real gross domestic product.

              (12) Discuss the effects of inflation on the economy of the United States using the consumer price index.

              (13) Compare the unemployment rates for groups of persons who differ by age, gender, ethnicity, occupation and education.

              (14) Demonstrate knowledge of when, why and how interest rate levels have experienced relative highs and relative lows throughout the history of the United States.

              (15) Explain how interest rates are determined using supply and demand.

         (c) Identify the causes of economic change and explain how the economic system of the United States responds to those changes and how other economic systems respond to change, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Identify the roles of organizations in a market economy, including, without limitation, for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations and labor unions.

              (2) Analyze the past, present and future role of investment in enhancing economic growth and raising the standard of living.

              (3) Evaluate how entrepreneurs affect the economy by solving problems, taking risks and taking advantage of opportunities to earn profits.

              (4) Judge the advantages and disadvantages of specialization and interdependence.

              (5) Explain how self-interest, channeled through the marketplace, can increase the overall standard of living.

              (6) Analyze the role of government in a market economy regarding public goods, externalities, monopoly power, redistribution of income and the definition and protection of property rights.

              (7) Describe the rise of national economies, the emergence of free markets and the emergence of democratic capitalism.

              (8) Illustrate the idea that real world economies tend to be mixed economies containing elements of capitalism, socialism, command allocations of resources and market allocations of resources.

              (9) Compare the benefits and costs of allocating resources through the markets or the government.

              (10) Discuss how the pricing system of an economy determines what goods and services will be produced, how they will be produced and who will receive them.

         (d) Explore trends in international trade, the impact of trade on the economy of the United States and the role of exchange rates, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Describe how the economic characteristics of other countries and their economic events affect the United States.

              (2) Determine how a change in exchange rates affects the ability of residents of a country to consume products from other countries.

              (3) Assess the impact of globalization on the economy of the United States and the world economy.

              (4) Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of international trade by comparing free trade and restricted trade.

         5. For the area of civics:

         (a) Know why society needs rules, law and governments, and understand the roles, rights and responsibilities of citizens, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Explain the concept of the rule of law in the establishment of the United States Constitution.

              (2) Analyze major social, political and economic conflicts and evaluate the role of compromise in the resolution of those conflicts.

              (3) Describe the influences of historic ideas on the creation of early documents of the United States, including, without limitation, the influence of Greek law, the Magna Carta, the Iroquois Confederacy, the social contract theory, natural rights philosophy and republicanism.

              (4) Describe how the Nevada Constitution and the United States Constitution preserve state and national principles and serve as methods for change, including, without limitation, the formal and informal processes for amending a constitution.

              (5) Analyze the provisions of the United States Constitution and the amendments to the United States Constitution which protect personal rights, including, without limitation, the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and through the examination of landmark cases, including, without limitation:

                   (I) Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka;

                   (II) Gideon v. Wainwright;

                   (III) Miranda v. Arizona; and

                   (IV) Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District.

              (6) Examine the rights of citizens and how those rights are protected and restricted.

              (7) Analyze and evaluate the role of citizen participation in civic life.

              (8) Examine the responsibilities of local, state and national citizenship.

              (9) Interpret the symbols and documents of a nation and analyze how the documents represent the identity of the nation.

         (b) Understand the United States Constitution and the government created by the United States Constitution, including, without limitation, the relationship between national and sub-national governments, and the structure and function of state and local governments, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Explain the provisions of the United States Constitution regarding the division of powers between the Federal Government and state governments, including, without limitation, powers that are delegated, implied, reserved and concurrent.

              (2) Analyze and give examples of the expansion of the Federal Government through the use of its enumerated and implied powers.

              (3) Provide contemporary examples of federalism.

              (4) Compare and contrast the structure of the Nevada Constitution and the United States Constitution.

              (5) Use examples to illustrate the Supremacy Clause in defining the relationship between state governments and the Federal Government.

              (6) Describe the unique role of tribal and territorial governments in the United States.

              (7) Examine the organization of the United States Constitution and describe the structure it creates, including, without limitation, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches.

              (8) Examine the organization of the Nevada Constitution and describe the structure it creates, including, without limitation, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches.

              (9) Explain the structure and function of local governments.

              (10) Analyze the effectiveness of checks and balances in maintaining the equal division of power.

              (11) Describe the creation of laws through the legislative process.

              (12) Describe the duties of the Executive Branch, including, without limitation, the duties of the Cabinet and departments of the Executive Branch, regulatory agencies, the Executive Office of the President of the United States and the staff of the White House.

              (13) Describe the structure and jurisdiction of the federal court system and analyze the power of judicial review.

              (14) Explain the state and local judicial processes, including, without limitation, juvenile, civil and criminal court systems.

         (c) Describe the roles of political parties, elections, interest groups, the media and public opinion in the democratic process, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Assess the process by which leaders are selected in the political system in the United States, and analyze the role of the electoral college in the election of the President of the United States.

              (2) Analyze the roles and functions of political parties in public policy and the electoral process.

              (3) Evaluate the significance of interest groups and public opinion in the political process of a democratic society.

              (4) Analyze the role of the media in the process of political persuasion.

              (5) Evaluate propaganda in the political process.

              (6) Describe the process by which public policy is formed and implemented.

         (d) Explain the different political systems in the world and how those systems relate to the United States and the citizens of the United States, as demonstrated by the ability of the pupil to:

              (1) Summarize and evaluate the significant characteristics of the major political systems of the world, including, without limitation, monarchies, totalitarian dictatorships, presidential systems, parliamentary systems, socialism and communism.

              (2) Analyze the conflict between the policies of the United States regarding isolation and intervention in world affairs.

              (3) Identify and analyze the foreign policy of the United States with regard to dealing with international problems, including, without limitation, diplomacy, economic policy, humanitarian aid and military intervention.

              (4) Critique the role of international organizations, including, without limitation, the United Nations, the World Bank, Amnesty International and the International Red Cross.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Education by R074-00, eff. 6-20-2000; A by R011-09, 10-27-2009)