A. A student should know and understand how societies define authority, rights, and responsibilities through a governmental process.

(1) understand the necessity and purpose of government;

(2) understand the meaning of fundamental ideas, including equality, authority, power, freedom, justice, privacy, property, responsibility, and sovereignty;

(3) understand how nations organize their governments; and

(4) be able to compare and contrast how different societies have governed themselves over time and in different places.

B. A student should understand the constitutional foundations of the American political system and the democratic ideals of this nation.

(1) understand the ideals of this nation as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights;

(2) recognize American heritage and culture, including the republican form of government, capitalism, free enterprise system, patriotism, strong family units, and freedom of religion;

(3) understand the United States Constitution, including separation of powers, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, majority rule, and minority rights;

(4) know how power is shared in the United States' constitutional government at the federal, state, and local levels;

(5) understand the importance of individuals, public opinion, media, political parties, associations, and groups in forming and carrying out public policy;

(6) recognize the significance of diversity in the American political system;

(7) be able to distinguish between constitution-based ideals and the reality of American political and social life;

(8) understand the place of law in the American political system; and

(9) recognize the role of dissent in the American political system.

C. A student should understand the character of government of the state.

(1) understand the various forms of the stateís local governments and the agencies and commissions that influence studentsílives and property;

(2) accept responsibility for protecting and enhancing the quality of life in the state through the political and governmental processes;

(3) understand the Constitution of Alaska and sec. 4 of the Alaska Statehood Act, which is known as the Statehood Compact;

(4) understand the importance of the historical and current roles of Alaska Native communities;

(5) understand the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and its impact on the state;

(6) understand the importance of the multicultural nature of the state;

(7) understand the obligations that land and resource ownership place on the residents and government of the state; and

(8) be able to identify the roles and relationships among the federal, tribal, and state governments and understand the responsibilities and limits of the roles and relationships.

D. A student should understand the role of the United States in international affairs.

(1) be able to analyze how domestic politics, the principles of the United States Constitution, foreign policy, and economics affect relations with other countries;

(2) be able to evaluate circumstances in which the United States has politically influenced other nations and how other nations have influenced the politics and society of the United States;

(3) understand how national politics and international affairs are interrelated with the politics and interests of the state;

(4) understand the purpose and function of international government and non-governmental organizations in the world today; and

(5) be able to analyze the causes, consequences, and possible solutions to current international issues.

E. A student should have the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively as an informed and responsible citizen.

(1) know the important characteristics of citizenship;

(2) recognize that it is important for citizens to fulfill their public responsibilities;

(3) be able to exercise political participation by discussing public issues, building consensus, becoming involved in political parties and political campaigns, and voting;

(4) be able to establish, explain and apply criteria useful in evaluating rules and laws;

(5) be able to establish, explain and apply criteria useful in selecting political leaders;

(6) recognize the value of community service; and

(7) be able to implement ways of solving problems and resolving conflict.

F. A student should understand the economies of the United States and the state and their relationships to the global economy.

(1) understand how the government and the economy interrelate through regulations, incentives, and taxation;

(2) be aware that economic systems determine how resources are used to produce and distribute goods and services;

(3) be able to compare alternative economic systems;

(4) understand the role of price in resource allocation;

(5) understand the basic concepts of supply and demand, the market system, and profit;

(6) understand the role of economic institutions in the United States, including the Federal Reserve Board, trade unions, banks, investors, and the stock market;

(7) understand the role of self interest, incentives, property rights, competition, and corporate responsibility in the market economy;

(8) understand the indicators of an economyís performance, including gross domestic product, inflation, and the unemployment rate;

(9) understand those features of the economy of the state that make it unique, including the importance of natural resources, government ownership and management of resources, Alaska Native regional corporations, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and

(10) understand how international trade works.

G. A student should understand the impact of economic choices and be able to participate effectively in the local, state, national, and global economies.

(1) be able to apply economic principles to actual world situations;

(2) understand choices are made because resources are scarce;

(3) be able to identify and compare the costs and benefits when making choices;

(4) be able to make informed choices on economic issues;

(5) understand how jobs are created and their role in the economy;

(6) understand that wages and productivity depend on investment in physical and human capital; and

(7) understand that economic choices influence public and private institutional decisions.