Political Systems-6th Grade

Understand political systems, with an emphasis on the United States. Understand the relationship of the Church and its systems to political systems of the United States.

Understand and explain basic principles of the United States government. Understand the relationship of basic principles for the U.S. Government and the Catholic Church Government. Understand what God does for humanity. CSIS3     Understand and explain the human condition and the role and dignity of man in God’s plan CSIS8        Examine how one’s own life and life-choices creates a personal history with eternal consequences. CSIS3 (7 &8)       Demonstrate the ways mankind and societies change and/or persist over time to better understand the human condition. CSIS8 (7&8)

Understand the structures and functions of the political systems of Illinois, the United States, and other nations. Understand the relationship of Church structure and functions to the structures and functions of the political systems of the United States and other nations. Describe how we can learn about what God does for humanity. CSIS3     Understand and explain the human condition and the role and dignity of man in God’s plan. CSIS8       Discuss how Church structure and function can assist man in the acquisition of values and virtues. CSIS12       Identify what is positive in the world, what needs to be transformed, and what injustices must be overcome. CSDS4       Compare the actions of peoples according to their historical and cultural norms to current Catholic moral norms and virtues. CSIS11 (7&8)

Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens. Understand the election process and special responsibilities of Catholic citizens. Value and develop a love for the common good and our shared humanity, not just with those around us, but for those who have gone before and those that will come after us. CSDS2          Identify the motivating values that have informed particular societies and how they correlate with Catholic teaching. CSIS7          Value one’s own role and dignity as man in God’s plan and creation. CSGS5          Compare the actions of peoples according to their historical and cultural norms to current Catholic moral norms and virtues. CSIS11 (7&8) 

Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States, and other nations. Understand the roles and influences of individual Catholics and Catholic interest groups. Identify the differences among the values of various political systems and how they correlate with Catholic teaching. CSIS7       Recognize how the central themes within the stories of important Catholic figures and saints repeat over time. CSIS6       Explore how the moral qualities of the citizenry naturally give rise to the nature of the government and influence societal outcomes and destinies. CSIS13 (7&8)        Discuss thoughts and deeds of great men and women of the past. CSIS15

Understand United States foreign policy as it relates to other nations and international issues. Understand United States foreign policy as it relates to other nations and Catholic Church issues. Identify the motivating values that have informed particular societies and how they correlate with Catholic teaching. CSIS7        Explain what is positive in the world, what needs to be changed, and what injustices must be overcome. CSDS4       Explore how the moral qualities of the citizenry naturally give rise to the nature of the government and influence societal outcomes and destinies. CSIS13 (7&8)         Identify the dangers of relativism present in the notion that one culture cannot critique another, that truth is culturally created; or that truth is not to be shared and celebrated wherever found. CSIS27 (7&8)

Understand the development of the United States political ideas and traditions. Understand the development of religious/spiritual aspects of the United States political ideas and traditions. Explain the history of the Catholic Church and its impact in human events. CSIS4       Explain how one’s beliefs about God, about humanity, and about material things, affect one’s actions. CSIS7        Value the significance and impact to the Catholic Church throughout history. CSDS5         Internalize Catholic virtues and values from the study of human history to better evaluate one’s own behaviors, the trends of contemporary society, and prevalent social pressures and norms. CSDS4

Define the concept of "consent of the governed."

Explain the importance of having a written constitution for a government.

Summarize the main points in constitutional documents.

Name the courts and judicial officials for local, state, and federal governments.

Distinguish between the characteristics of a limited and unlimited government.

Compare the political office process to the way Church leaders are appointed.

Identify and describe elements of political systems that support or contradict principles of the Catholic Church. 

Describe the characteristics of a two house legislature.

Explain the reasons for having the system of checks and balances as part of the organization of the federal government.

List the top officials in Illinois State government.

Explain the distributed and shared powers of the local, state, and federal government.

Compare and contrast the structure and function of our political systems with the Catholic Church.

Plan and/or participate in service projects that help the community.

Create a list of ideas that would encourage more civic responsibility among people.

Explain the role of a citizen in choosing leaders.

Explain how people are elected to all levels of our government.

Analyze historical events involving the extension or denial of political and electoral rights of various citizens or groups of people.

Discuss the moral responsibilities of citizens in choosing leaders that support the teachings of the Church.

Define public policy.

Summarize an individual's or group's motivation for participating in the shaping of public policy.

Analyze actions taken by governments to improve the lives of people.

Analyze ways in which the media is used by political parties and interest groups to influence public opinion.

Explain how political parties and interest groups affect legislation.

Describe an historical event or period in which political parties influenced public policy. 

Describe an event or period in history in which individual Catholics or Catholic interest groups influenced public policy. 

Explain why Jesus calls us to a life of service and to use our talents to serve others.

Identify a political tradition or custom that had its origin in another country (e.g., representative government).

Describe the leadership role of the United States in international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, NATO, IMF).

Research an historical treaty the United States has signed with another nation or international organization.

Identify U.S. foreign policy that supports Catholic Church teaching (e.g., justice, stewardship, human dignity). 

Give examples of events where people have had to fight to win their equality and/or religious freedom.

Analyze conflicts over the rights and freedom of competing individuals or groups.

Compare the arguments of competing public interest groups on constitutional rights.