National Subject Area Standards and Global and International Studies Guidelines

How does the study of global issues, culture, and global connections relate to the national subject area standards that are being developed? The standards in each subject area address global and international studies issues in the following ways.

Global Issues

Geography. Published by the National Geographic Society, the Geography for Life; National Geography Standards includes several standards that apply directly to global issues: Standard 8, "the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems"; Standard 9, dealing with human migrations and "the characteristics of populations at different scales"; Standard 11, dealing with economic interdependence; Standard 13, dealing with cooperation and conflict; Standard 14, focusing on "how human actions modify the physical environment"; Standard 16, on resources; Standard 17, using geography to interpret the past; and Standard 18, which focuses on the use of geography "to interpret the present and plan for the future." Each of the standards provides students with useful information, skills, and attitudes helpful in their investigations of global issues and challenges.

World History. The two volumes published by the National Center for History in the Schools (Expanding Children's World in Time and Space, Grades K-4 Expanded Edition; and Exploring Paths to the Present, Grades 5-12 Expanded Edition), contain multiple opportunities to help students develop understanding of the roots of some of today's major issues. The section on the 20th century in particular provides for specific study of a number of international issues, for example: causes and consequences of wars; attempts to establish peace; economic, social, and political changes in the developing world; independence movements; increasing global economic interdependence; human rights movements; and major global scientific, technological, and social trends, present and future.

United States History. Like its companion edition in world history, Exploring the American Experience, Grades 5-12 Expanded Edition, provides numerous opportunities to explore the historic roots of some of today's global issues. Starting with the period of major industrial development (1870-1900), accompanied by a fledgling environmental movement, the problems and conflicts associated with massive immigration and U.S. overseas expansion, on through the emergence of modern America (1890-1930) and the Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945), inter-national affairs receive increased emphasis. In addition, several global problems are mentioned. The two last sections, which cover 1945 to the present, present several opportunities for teachers to lay the groundwork for in-depth study of one or more global problems or issues.

Civics and Government. The National Standards for Civics and Government, published by the Center for Civic Education, relates little to global problems and concerns, focusing on the basic values and principles of U.S. democracy. However, the question, "What is the relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs?" is included as a major section heading at all three grade level clusters: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. This encourages study of other political systems as well as international organizations.

Social Studies. The National Council for the Social Studies publication Curriculum Standards for the Social Studies is based upon ten themes or strands. Among the ten, "Global Connections" is repeated at all three grade level clusters. Because global issues and their study can never be restricted to any single subject-matter discipline, the social studies standards clearly provide the best set of guidelines available for educators who are concerned with a multidisciplinary approach to the study of global issues and challenges.

The study of culture and world areas can connect learning for students across many subjects in the curriculum. History, geography, civics and governments, literature, the arts, and science can contribute to the study of culture and world areas. Some of the new national standards deal with culture in the following ways.

Geography. Culture issues are found in Standards 6 and 10. Standard 6, how culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions, describes the student's com-munity and region from different perspectives; ways in which people perceive places and regions through culture and technology; how places and regions serve as cultural symbols; why places and regions serve as symbols for individuals and society; why different groups of people within a society view places and regions differently; and how changing perceptions of places and regions reflect cultural change. Standard 10, the character, distribution, and com-plexity of Earth's cultural mosaic, includes how the characteristics of culture affect the ways in which people live; how patterns of culture vary across the earth's surface; how cultures change; the spatial distribution of culture at different scales (local to global); how to read elements of a landscape as a mirror of culture; the processes of cultural diffusion; the impact of culture on ways of life in different regions; how culture shapes the character of a region; and the spatial characteristics of the processes of cultural convergence and divergence.

World History. Universals of culture such as food, housing, and social and economic organization have been identified and are labeled throughout the eight eras of world history. For grades K-4, Topic 1, living and working together in families and communities now and long ago, addresses issues relating to culture in Standards 1A, 1B, and 2B. Topic 4, the history of peoples of many cultures around the world, includes Standard 7, selected attributes and historical developments of various societies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe; and Standard 8, major discoveries in science and technology, their social and economic effects, and the scientists and inventors from many groups and regions responsible for them.

United States History. All of the 31 standards in each of the 10 eras in American history contain references to culture.

Social Studies. Strand One, Culture, of Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, states that social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity. Such programs should: explore and describe simi-larities and differences in the ways groups, societies and cultures address similar human needs and concerns; give examples of how experiences may be interpreted differently by people from diverse cultural perspectives and frames of references; describe ways in which language, stories, folktale, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a par-ticular culture; compare ways in which people from different cultures think about and deal with their physical environment and social conditions; and give examples and describe the importance of cultural unity and diversity within and across groups.

Foreign Languages. In the Standards for Foreign Language Learning, the standards for foreign language related to culture are found in Standard 2, entitled "Gain Knowledge and Understanding of Other Cultures." Culture is defined as an area of learning that includes the philo-sophical perspectives, the behavioral practices, and the products--both tangible and intangible--of a society. Standard 2 uses a diagram to illustrate the relationship between perspectives (meanings, attitudes, values, and ideas), practices (patterns of social interactions) and products (books, tools, foods, laws, music, games, etc.). Standard 2.1 states that the "Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship betweben the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied." Standard 2.2 states that "Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied."

Geography. Relating directly to the theme of global connections in Geography for Life; National Geography Standards are Standard 11, the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface, and Standard 15, how physical systems affect human systems. Standard 18, how to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future, includes the statement "Creating effective and lasting solutions to the world's pressing problems requires that today's students mature into adults who can make skilled and informed use of geographic knowledge, skills, and perspectives to identify possible solutions, predict their consequences, and implement the best solutions." Other standards lightly touch upon global connections.

World History. The national standards for world history are replete with examples of interconnections of cultures in history. Standard 5, historical issues-analysis and decision making, includes components on identifying relevant historical antecedents, evaluating alternative courses of action, formulating alternative courses of action on an issue, and evaluating the implementation of a decision.

United States History. The national standards for United States history includes several standards on U.S. foreign policy and the United States's role in the world. Under Era 6 (The Development of the Industrial United States--1870-1900) is Standard 4, federal Indian policy and United States foreign policy after the Civil War. Under Era 7 (The Emergence of Modern America--1890-1930) is Standard 2, the changing role of the United States in world affairs through World War I. Under Era 8 (The Great Depression and World War II--1929-1945) is Standard 3, the origins and course of World War II, the character of the war at home and abroad, and its reshaping of the U.S. role in world affairs. Under Era 9 (Postwar United States--1945 to early 1970s) is Standard 3, the Cold War and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts in domestic and international politics. Finally, under Era 10 (Contemporary United States--1968 to present) is Standard 1, major developments in foreign and domestic policies during the Cold War era.

Civics and Government. The National Standards for Civics and Government includes the section "What is the Relationship of American Politics and Government to World Affairs?" (pp. 59-62) This section focuses mainly upon the United States's role within the world; international organizations; the impact of American concepts of democracy upon the world; and current political, demographic, and environ-mental developments.

Social Studies. Curriculum Standards for Social Studies includes "Global Connections" as one of ten thematic strands. This strand "includes experiences that provide for the study of global connections and inter-dependence" (see pp. 29; 70-72; 102-104; 136-138). This theme includes "performance expectations" such as "explain conditions and motivations that contribute to conflict, co-operation, and independence among groups, societies, and nations"; "illustrate how individual behaviors and decisions connect with global systems; and "identify and describe the roles of international and multinational organizations."

Foreign Language. The Standards for Foreign Language Learning includes "Participate in Multilingual Com-munities at Home and Around the World" as one of the goals of foreign language education. The standards include a recognition of the importance of interdependence of people through-out the world.

Previous:Global Issues and Challenges--What Should Students Study?
Next: The Authors