Political Systems-7th 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

Compare and contrast responsibilities shared between the state and federal governments.

Identify the rights and principles of limited government found within the Declaration of Independence.

Classify the type of courts and judicial officials established to operate within the local, state, and federal governments.

Describe the role of the courts in judicial review.

Examine how the judicial system has impacted the life and dignity of persons. 

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

Describe the impact of the federal government’s system of checks and balances (e.g., the results of a presidential veto).

Analyze historical examples of the system of checks and balances according to the respective branches of the federal government. 

Compare similarities and differences in the powers of the Governor of the State of Illinois and the President of the United States to resolve conflict and crisis in a moral and just way.

Formulate a conclusion about the use of power by state or national governmental executives.

Describe the organization of the Illinois General Assembly.

Define “jurisdiction” as it applies to a court system.

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

Describe the requirements for candidates for local, state, and national offices.

Evaluate candidates for local, state and national office based on concepts of Catholic Social Justice.

Compare the platforms of two or more political parties during an election to determine differences.

Explain the position on a particular issue of a candidate for political office.

Describe the election process at local, state, and national levels (e.g., campaigns, primaries, conventions).

Explain the importance of an individual’s responsibility to maintain a democratic, civil society. 

Describe how fostering peace, justice and love maintain a democratic, civil society.

Evaluate the benefits of highly involved citizens to a society.

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

Identify the reasons for public opinion polls sponsored by political parties, public interest groups, and the media.

Describe methods of communication that individuals, groups, and the media use to present information to the public.

Interpret political cartoons in terms of captions and images to persuade people to analyze political and religious positions on various issues.

Review the principles the United States has traditionally held in joining international organizations (e.g., the interests and benefits of world peace, open trade over closed markets); compare/contrast principles with Catholic Social Justice teachings.

Explain an historical event in which the United States played a leading role.

Analyze an event or issue that links the people of Illinois to another nation (e.g., issues or negotiations over trade, immigration of ethnic groups).

Provide an argument justifying the need for civil rights for citizens of any nation.

Summarize the historical development of the concept of individual liberty (e.g., Colonial America).

Analyze the causes and effects of when national interests have called for the limitation or restriction of civil rights (e.g., internment of Japanese Americans during World War II); compare/contrast with teachings of the Church.