Middle Level Social Studies (Grades 5–8) Subtest 2

Subarea II. Government and Citizenship

0017

Understand political science concepts, terms, perspectives, and research skills.

demonstrating knowledge of basic political science terms and concepts (e.g., social contract, natural rights, consent of the governed, sovereignty, balance of power)
recognizing the purposes of government and identifying major characteristics of different systems of government
examining similarities and differences between the political systems of the United States and other contemporary and historical political systems
recognizing key ideals central to the democratic republican form of government and analyzing the emergence and spread of democratic and representative government
demonstrating knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various political science reference sources and research tools (e.g., census data, voting results, surveys, polls, speeches) and how to locate, access, organize, and present information about public debates and policies
evaluating political science information and analyzing a variety of public policies and issues from diverse perspectives

0018

Understand the foundations of U.S. government, the U.S. political process, and the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

analyzing major foundational documents of U.S. constitutional government (e.g., Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers) and examining symbols, songs, traditions, landmarks, and monuments that represent the core concepts of the United States
demonstrating knowledge of the fundamental principles, key articles, and significant amendments to the U.S. Constitution
analyzing the significance of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, United States v. Nixon)
demonstrating knowledge of major features of the U.S. electoral system (e.g., political parties, primary elections, the Electoral College, the Minnesota caucus system and electoral process)
demonstrating knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens and how citizenship is defined, established, and exercised
recognizing ways in which citizens participate in the political process, the skills and values needed for effective participation in civic affairs, and the influence of various forms of civic action on public policy
analyzing events and developments in U.S. history that have increased or diminished individual rights and popular participation in the political process

0019

Understand the structure, organization, and operation of different levels of government in the United States.

demonstrating knowledge of the organization and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government
analyzing ways in which the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances influence the operation of the federal government
examining how laws are enacted at the federal and state levels of government in the United States and analyzing the role of lobbyists and special interest groups in the legislative process
recognizing the powers and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies in the federal government
demonstrating knowledge of fundamental features of the U.S. legal and criminal justice systems
examining the process by which U.S. foreign policy is made, the role of the president and Congress in the foreign policy process, and U.S. relations with other nations in the world
demonstrating knowledge of the Minnesota Constitution; the structure and functions of Minnesota state, local, and tribal governments; and the relationship between American Indian nations and the U.S. and Minnesota governments