Maryland State Standards for Social Studies: Grade 7

MD.1.0. Political Science: Students will understand the historical development and current status of the fundamental concepts and processes of authority, power, and influence, with particular emphasis on the democratic skills and attitudes necessary to become responsible citizens.

1.A. The foundations and function of government

1.A.1. Analyze the characteristics and structure of various systems of government around the world

1.A.1.a. Describe and compare the advantages and disadvantages of limited governments, such as representative democracy and parliamentary democracy 15
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.1.a.

1.A.1.b. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of unlimited government, such as authoritarian and dictatorships 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.1.b.

1.A.1.c. Explain and demonstrate how nation-states interact with each other 9
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.1.c.

1.A.1.d. Using multi-perspectives, describe and trace how past events assisted or impeded the development of nations, such as the founding of Israel, the break up of the Soviet Union 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.1.d.

1.A.2. Analyze the historic events, documents, and practices that are the foundations of political systems around the world

1.A.2.a. Examine and report examples of historic events, documents and practices that have influenced individuals and groups around the world, such as the U.N. Declaration of Rights, German reunification, the formation of NATO, and Apartheid 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.2.a.

1.A.3. Analyze the roles of governments around the world regarding public policy and issues

1.A.3.a. Evaluate the effectiveness of the various policies of governments in addressing issues, such as health, poverty, crime, security, and environmental concerns 16
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.3.a.

1.A.3.b. Analyze the effects that different world issues have on shaping international responses, such as rainforest conservation, pollution, climate change, and energy sources (oil drilling, coal, nuclear) 40
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.A.3.b.

1.B. Individual and group participation in the political system

1.B.1. Analyze the methods used by individuals and groups to shape governmental policy and actions

1.B.1.a. Compare methods used to change governments, such as coups, elections and revolts 14
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.1.a.

1.B.1.b. Evaluate ways citizens use, monitor and influence the formation and implementation of public policy 23
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.1.b.

1.B.1.c. Describe how political parties and special interest groups influence and change government policy, such as third parties, and non-governmental organizations 23
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.1.c.

1.B.1.d. Analyze the role of media and public opinion in shaping government policy and action 17
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.1.d.

1.B.2. Analyze the importance of civic participation as a citizen of the world

1.B.2.a. Analyze the relevancy of sources and perspectives of information such as internet sites and online newspapers 24
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.2.a.

1.B.2.b. Analyze the concept of a global citizen and how the awareness and responsibilities have changed during the information age 13
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.B.2.b.

1.C. Protecting rights and maintaining order

1.C.1. Examine the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen of the world

1.C.1.a. Justify the responsibilities associated with certain human rights in a global society such as a commitment to world peace and the elimination of poverty. 13
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.C.1.a.

1.C.1.b. Explain how international rules and laws protect individual rights and protect the common good, such as the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, European Union membership, Geneva Conventions 4
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.C.1.b.

1.C.2. Analyze how governments, organizations, and policies around the world protect or fail to protect the rights of individuals and groups

1.C.2.a. Analyze how the definition of the common good differs in limited and unlimited governments 20
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.C.2.a.

1.C.2.b. Debate the need to balance between providing for the common good and how protecting individual rights differ in governments around the world 35
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.C.2.b.

1.C.2.c. Describe the role of international organizations and policies in maintaining order during a time of crisis, such as the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions, and the World Health Organization 16
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 1.C.2.c.

MD.2.0. Peoples of the Nation and World: Students will understand the diversity and commonality, human interdependence, and global cooperation of the people of Maryland, the United States and the world through both a multicultural and historic perspective.

2.A. Elements of culture

2.A.1. Analyze characteristics that are used to organize people into cultures

2.A.1.a. Apply understandings of the elements of culture to the studies of modern world regions, such as art, music, religion, government, social structure, education, values, beliefs and customs 24
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.A.1.a.

2.A.1.b. Describe the characteristics of a sovereign nation, such as the legitimate use of authority, autonomy and establishment of borders 39
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.A.1.b.

2.A.1.c. Describe the characteristics of democratic and authoritarian societies 27
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.A.1.c.

2.B. Cultural diffusion

2.B.1. Analyze how diverse cultures shape a pluralistic society

2.B.1.a. Identify cultural groups within a contemporary world region 38
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.B.1.a.

2.B.1.b. Describe how migration contributes to the diversity of nations and regions 14
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.B.1.b.

2.B.1.c. Analyze how cultural diffusion is influenced by factors, such as trade, migration, immigration and conflict 6
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.B.1.c.

2.B.2. Examine how increasing diversity in global societies results from immigration, settlement, and economic development

2.B.2.a. Examine policies related to human rights, such as foreign aid, subsidies to developing countries, ethnic persecution and economic sanctions 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.B.2.a.

2.B.2.b. Examine contemporary world wide concerns that affect international relationships, such as world health, nation building, national security, and human rights 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.B.2.b.

2.C. Conflict and compromise

2.C.1. Analyze major sources of tension, cooperation, and conflict in the world and the efforts that have been made to address them

2.C.1.a. Evaluate causes of conflict in the global community, such as Apartheid, the acquisition of natural resources, the decline of communism, ethnic persecution, and domestic and international terrorism 22
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.C.1.a.

2.C.1.b. Analyze and describe the efforts of world nations and groups to assist in the resolution of conflicts within and among regions, such as the United Nations, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, United States Agency for International Development and other humanitarian organizations 15
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.C.1.b.

2.C.1.c. Analyze and describe efforts by nations to promote cooperation within and among those regions, such as the creation of the International Monetary Fund, North American Free Trade Agreement, World Bank, European Union and world-wide healthcare initiatives 16
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 2.C.1.c.

MD.3.0. Geography: Students will use geographic concepts and processes to examine the role of culture, technology, and the environment in the location and distribution of human activities and spatial connections throughout time.

3.A. Using geographic tools

3.A.1. Use geographic tools to locate places and describe the human and physical characteristics in the contemporary world

3.A.1.a. Use maps to compare geographic locations of places and regions 24
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.A.1.a.

3.A.1.b. Use photographs and thematic maps to compare human and physical characteristics of places and regions 7
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.A.1.b.

3.A.1.c. Analyze geographic issues and problems 21
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.A.1.c.

3.B. Geographic characteristics of places and regions

3.B.1. Analyze interrelationships among physical and human characteristics that shape the identity of places and regions around the world

3.B.1.a. Identify and describe physical characteristics that influenced human settlement 6
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.B.1.a.

3.B.1.b. Explain how physical and human characteristics of a region such as vegetation, climate, minerals, population density and religion, affect its economic growth and the way people make a living 19
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.B.1.b.

3.B.1.c. Analyze how regional characteristics and interests including economic development, climate, and the environmental impact government policies 28
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.B.1.c.

3.B.1.d. Identify geographic factors that have influenced international relations and economic development in world regions, such as trade, infrastructure, and health issues 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.B.1.d.

3.C. Movement of people, goods and ideas

3.C.1. Describe and analyze population growth, migration and settlement patterns in contemporary world regions

3.C.1.a. Identify reasons why people migrate, such as economic opportunity, climate, political reasons and government policies 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.C.1.a.

3.C.1.b. Evaluate the consequences of migration and settlement in various regions of the world, such as employment, changes in population and cultural diversity/conflict 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.C.1.b.

3.C.1.c. Explain how regional population patterns, trends, and projections affect the environment and influence government policies 8
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.C.1.c.

3.D. Modifying and adapting to the environment

3.D.1. Analyze why and how people in contemporary world regions modify their natural environment and the impact of those modifications

3.D.1.a. Identify trade offs of using resources to pursue economic opportunities v. Preserving the environment, such as water use, the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and strip mining 45
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.D.1.a.

3.D.1.b. Evaluate the consequences of modifying the natural environment, such as desertification, air pollution, and climate change 31
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.D.1.b.

3.D.1.c. Identify and explain land use issues that illustrate the conflict between economic growth, deforestation, mining, and burning fossil fuels 13
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.D.1.c.

3.D.1.d. Explain how land use and environmental issues such as burning the rain forest and environmental preservation are addressed by government policy 27
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 3.D.1.d.

MD.4.0. Economics: Students will develop economic reasoning to understand the historical development and current status of economic principles, institutions, and processes needed to be effective citizens, consumers, and workers participating in local communities, the nation, and the world.

4.A. Scarcity and economic decision-making

4.A.1. Analyze the decisions that people made because resources were limited relative to economic wants for goods and services in contemporary world regions

4.A.1.a. Identify the opportunity cost of economic decisions made by individuals, businesses, and governments such as decisions about investing in education 6
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.1.a.

4.A.2. Analyze how scarcity of economic resources affects economic choices in contemporary world regions

4.A.2.a. Describe how goals of countries affect the use of resources in the pursuit of economic growth, and sustainable development 44
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.2.a.

4.A.2.b. Identify tradeoffs made in economic decisions by producers and consumers 10
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.2.b.

4.A.2.c. Explain how available resources affect specialization and trade 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.2.c.

4.A.3. Analyze how technological changes have affected the consumption and production in the contemporary world

4.A.3.a. Give examples of how technology has changed consumption of goods and services, such as the development of computers 23
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.3.a.

4.A.3.b. Examine why technology has changed job skills and the influenced productivity 18
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.3.b.

4.A.4. Compare the levels of specialization and economic development in different parts of the contemporary world

4.A.4.a. Analyze examples of specialization that result from economic resources 1
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.4.a.

4.A.4.b. Describe the standard of living and the quality of life in a world region using data, such as gross national product (GNP), gross domestic product (GDP), per capita income and the human development index (HDI) 39
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.4.b.

4.A.4.c. Identify factors that have influenced economic development in various regions, such as individuals, corporations, natural resources, technology, military power, population growth, international organizations, infrastructure and public health issues 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.A.4.c.

4.B. Economic systems and the role of government in the economy

4.B.1. Evaluate the types of economic systems in countries throughout the contemporary world

4.B.1.a. Examine how different economic systems, traditional, command, market, and mixed answer the basic economic question of what, how, and for whom to produce 4
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.1.a.

4.B.1.b. Describe examples of decisions in (traditional economies, such as the economic roles of men and women 6
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.1.b.

4.B.1.c. Describe examples of command modern economies, such as government ownership of land and other resources 6
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.1.c.

4.B.2. Analyze the role of government in the economies of contemporary societies

4.B.2.a. Explore how government spending and taxation influence an economy's ability to grow and provide jobs and services 11
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.2.a.

4.B.2.b. Evaluate the trade-offs of government regulations 20
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.2.b.

4.B.2.c. Analyze the ways that governments can help or impede economic activity, such as providing a stable monetary system, protecting property rights, maintaining infrastructure and providing public goods and services 10
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.2.c.

4.B.2.d. Examine the impact of regulatory agencies in different countries, such as, consumer behavior such as air traffic management and environmental protection 41
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.2.d.

4.B.3. Describe the money and banking systems in various countries in the contemporary world

4.B.3.a. Explain why a stable money and banking system is necessary for an economy to grow and prosper 5
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 4.B.3.a.

MD.5.0. History: Students will examine significant ideas, beliefs, and themes; organize patterns and events; and analyze how individuals and societies have changed over time in Maryland, the United States and around the world.

5.B. Emergence, expansion and changes in nations and empires

5.B.1. Analyze the growth and the development of nations in the contemporary world

5.B.1.a. Describe the social, political and economic impacts of various world religions on a global society, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism 28
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.B.1.a.

5.B.1.b. Compare the effects of political and cultural changes in nations such as independence movements and democratic reforms 37
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.B.1.b.

5.C. Conflict between ideas and institutions

5.C.1. Analyze the major sources of tension and conflict in the contemporary world

5.C.1.a. Describe how the changes in political structures impacted individuals and groups 22
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.C.1.a.

5.C.1.b. Examine the impact of philosophies and policies of leaders in the modern world 7
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.C.1.b.

5.C.2. Analyze the major traditions, customs and beliefs of world religions and their expansion

5.C.2.a. Explain how the establishment of religions in areas caused conflict 30
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.C.2.a.

5.C.2.b. Analyze the political and social impact of religious and traditions in areas such as Europe and the Middle East 29
Suggested Titles for Maryland Social Studies State Standard 5.C.2.b.