Social Science
The Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science
were developed using the 1985 Illinois State Goals for Social
Science, the National Standards for World History, the National
Standards for United States History, the National Geography
Standards, the National Standards for Civics and Government,
other various state and national work, and local standards
contributed by team members.
The integrated study of the social sciences and humanities
promotes civic competence. Within the school program social
science provides coordinated, systematic study of such disciplines
as anthropology, economics, geography, history, law, political
science, and sociology, as well as appropriate content from
the humanities, mathematics and natural sciences. The study
of social science helps people develop the ability to make
informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens
of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent
world.
The individual disciplines that comprise social science are
often taught independently, yet all of these disciplines recognize
that they owe much to the others. Students who achieve the
standards for social science will have a broad understanding
of political and economic systems. They will better understand
events, trends, personalities and movements in local, state,
national and world history. They will know local, state, national
and world geography. They also will grasp how the concepts
of social science can help interpret human actions and prepare
them for careers and lifelong learning.
Applications of Learning
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and
deepen their understanding of basic knowledge and skills.
These applied learning skills cross academic disciplines and
reinforce the important learning of the disciplines. The ability
to use these skills will greatly influence students' success
in school, in the workplace and in the community.
Solving Problems
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose
solutions supported by reason and evidence.
In social science, solving problems helps students to recognize
that individual decisions and actions have consequences—and
these consequences affect the way people, groups and nations
associate with each other. Students of social science are
asked to analyze information from a variety of sources and
to solve problems through a rational process based on goals
and criteria.
Communicating
Express and interpret information and ideas.
To gather a range of opinions and determine the best course
of action, students must interpret information. To study and
draw conclusions about social science issues, students need
to read and interpret textual and visual information, be able
to listen carefully to others, and be able to organize and
explain their own ideas using various media.
Using Technology
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers
and networks to access information, process ideas and communicate
results.
Technology today provides a channel through which students
can gather knowledge of the past, search information about
today and make hypotheses regarding the future. This technology
includes databases, computer programs, on-line services and
interactive telecommunications. It allows students to gather
and process data from a variety of sources, from archives
in the Library of Congress to historical art works from around
the world. Students can share ideas and information not only
with their classmates, but with a "virtual classroom"
of students from across the world—social science in action.
Working on Teams
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members
of groups.
Social science is about people's interactions. Study in this
field encourages students to listen carefully to the views
of all members of a group and to represent their own points
of view appropriately and effectively. The group benefits
from the individual knowledge and skills of its members. Each
individual—like each part of social science itself—holds
an important relationship to the whole.
Making Connections
Recognize and apply connections of important information
and ideas within and among learning areas.
Social science is a highly integrated set of disciplines.
Understanding economics requires knowing mathematics; understanding
geography requires knowledge of earth science. Students must
grasp that the connections between the parts of social science—and
their relations to other academic areas—are the key to
better understanding how people interact. Students in social
science must know data collection and analysis, library and
field research, debate, discussion and decision making—all
of which are key elements to successful careers.
Goals
Goal 14 - Political Systems  
Goal 15 - Economics
Goal 16 - History
Goal 17 - Geography
Goal 18 - Social Systems
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