Each classes goals are listed below. World History is first, followed by
Civics, and finally U.S. History.
NINTH GRADE
WORLD HISTORY
World History at the ninth grade level is a survey course that gives
students the opportunity to explore recurring themes of human experience
common to civilizations around the globe from ancient to contemporary
times.2 An historical approach will be at the center of the course. The
application of the themes of geography and an analysis of the cultural
traits of civilizations will help students understand how people shape their
world and how their world shapes them. As students examine the historical
roots of significant events, ideas, movements, and phenomena, they encounter
the contributions and patterns of living in civilizations around the world.
Students broaden their historical perspectives as they explore ways
societies have dealt with continuity and change, exemplified by issues such
as war and peace, internal stability and strife, and the development of
institutions. To become informed citizens, students require knowledge of the
civilizations that have shaped the development of the United States. World
History
provides the foundation that enables students to acquire this knowledge
which will be used in the study of Civics and Economics and United States
History.
Strands: Geographic Relationships, Historic Perspectives, Economics and
Development,
Government and Active Citizenship, Global Connections, Technological
Influences and Society, Individual Identity and Development, Cultures and
Diversity
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: Historical Tools and Practices - The learner will
identify, evaluate, and use the methods and tools valued by historians,
compare the views of historians, and trace the themes of history.
1.01 Define history and the concepts of cause and effect, time, continuity,
and perspective.
1.02 Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources to compare views,
trace themes, and detect bias.
1.03 Relate archaeology, geography, anthropology, political science,
sociology, and economics to the study of history.
1.04 Define the themes of society, technology, economics, politics, and
culture and relate them to the study of history.
1.05 Trace major themes in the development of the world from its origins to
the rise of early civilizations.
1.06 Examine the indicators of civilization, including writing, labor
specialization, cities, technology, trade, and political and cultural
institutions.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: Emerging Civilizations - The learner will analyze the
development of early civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
2.01 Trace the development and assess the achievements of early river
civilizations, including but not limited to those around the Huang-He, Nile,
Indus, and Tigris-Euphrates rivers.
2.02 Identify the roots of Greek civilization and recognize its achievements
from the Minoan era through the Hellenistic period.
2.03 Describe the developments and achievements of Roman civilization and
analyze the significance of the fall of Rome.
2.04 Examine the importance of India as a hub of world trade and as a
cultural and religious center during its Golden Age.
2.05 Assess the distinctive achievements of Chinese and Japanese
civilizations.
2.06 Describe the rise and achievements of the Byzantine and Islamic
civilizations.
2.07 Describe the rise and achievements of African civilizations, including
but not limited to Axum, Ghana, Kush, Mali, Namibia, and Songhai.
2.08 Evaluate the achievements of the major civilizations of the Americas
during the pre-Columbian epoch including, but not limited to, the Aztecs,
Incas, and Mayas.
COMPETENCY GOAL 3: Monarchies and Empires - The learner will investigate
significant events, people, and conditions in the growth of monarchical and
imperial systems of government.
3.01 Trace the political and social development of monarchies and empires
including, but not limited to, the Ming and Manchu dynasties, the Mongol
Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Moghul Empire, and the British Empire.
3.02 Describe events in Western Europe from the fall of Rome to the
emergence of nation-states and analyze the impact of these events on
economic, political, and social life in medieval Europe.
3.03 Trace social, political, economic, and cultural changes associated with
the Renaissance, Reformation, the rise of nation-states, and absolutism.
3.04 Examine European exploration and analyze the forces that caused and
allowed the acquisition of colonial possessions and trading privileges in
Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
3.05 Cite the effects of European expansion on Africans, pre-Columbian
Americans, Asians, and Europeans.
3.06 Compare the influence of religion, social structure, and colonial
export economies on North and South American societies.
3.07 Evaluate the effects of colonialism on Africa, the Americas, Asia, and
Europe.
COMPETENCY GOAL 4: Revolution and Nationalism - The learner will assess the
causes and effects of movements seeking change, and will evaluate the
sources and consequences of nationalism.
4.01 Analyze the causes and assess the influence of seventeenth to
nineteenth century political revolutions in England, North America, and
France on individuals, governing bodies, church-state relations, and
diplomacy.
4.02 Describe the changes in economies and political control in nineteenth
century Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
4.03 Evaluate the growth of nationalism as a contributor to nineteenth
century European revolutions in areas such as the Balkans, France, Germany,
and Italy.
4.04 Examine the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution and its effect
on Russia and the world.
4.05 Evaluate the causes and effectiveness of nineteenth and twentieth
century nationalistic movements that challenged European domination in
Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
COMPETENCY GOAL 5: Global Wars - The learner will analyze the causes and
results of twentieth century conflicts among nations.
5.01 Analyze the causes and course of World War I and assess its
consequences.
5.02 Assess the significance of the war experience on global foreign and
domestic policies of the 1920s and 1930s.
5.03 Analyze the causes and course of World War II and evaluate it as the
end of one era and the beginning of another.
5.04 Trace the course of the Cold War and assess its impact on the global
community including but not limited to the Korean War, the satellite nations
of Eastern Europe, and the Vietnam War.
5.05 Examine governmental policies, such as the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which
were established and the role of organizations including the League of
Nations, and the United Nations to maintain peace, and evaluate their
continuing effectiveness.
COMPETENCY GOAL 6: Patterns of Social Order - The learner will investigate
social and economic organization in various societies throughout time in
order to understand the shifts in power and status that have occurred.
6.01 Compare the conditions, racial composition, and status of social
classes, castes, and slaves in world societies and analyze changes in those
elements.
6.02 Analyze causes and results of ideas regarding superiority and
inferiority in society and how those ideas have changed over time.
6.03 Trace the changing definitions of citizenship and the expansion of
suffrage.
6.04 Relate the dynamics of state economies to the well being of their
members and to changes in the role of government.
6.05 Analyze issues such as ecological/environmental concerns, political
instability, and nationalism as challenges to which societies must respond.
6.06 Trace the development of internal conflicts due to differences in
religion, race, culture, and group loyalties in various areas of the world.
COMPETENCY GOAL 7: Technology and Changing Global Connections - The learner
will consider the short- and long-term consequences of the development of
new technology.
7.01 Assess the degree to which discoveries, innovations, and technologies
have accelerated change.
7.02 Examine the causes and effects of scientific revolutions and cite their
major costs and benefits.
7.03 Examine the causes and effects of industrialization and cite its major
costs and benefits.
7.04 Describe significant characteristics of global connections created by
technological change, and assess the degree to which cultures participate in
that change.
COMPETENCY GOAL 8: Patterns of History - The learner will assess the
influence of ideals, values, beliefs, and traditions on current global
events and issues.
8.01 Trace developments in literary, artistic, and religious traditions over
time as legacies of past societies or as cultural innovations.
8.02 Compare major Eastern and Western beliefs and practices, including but
not limited to Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam,
Judaism, and Shintoism, and locate their regions of predominance.
8.03 Classify within the broad patterns of history those events that may be
viewed as turning points.
8.04 Characterize over time and place the interactions of world cultures.
8.05 Analyze how the changing and competing components of cultures have led
to current global issues and conflicts, and hypothesize solutions to
persistent problems.
8.06 Analyze the meanings of “civilization” in different times and places and
demonstrate how such meanings reflect the societies of which they are a part.
TENTH GRADE
CIVICS AND ECONOMICS
Through the study of Civics and Economics, students will acquire the skills
and knowledge necessary to become responsible and effective citizens in an
interdependent world. Students will need a practical understanding of these
systems of civics and economics that affect their lives as consumers and
citizens. Furthermore, this course serves as a foundation for United States
History. It is recommended that this tenth grade course, Civics and
Economics, directly precede the eleventh grade United States History survey
course to maintain continuity and build historical perspective.
As informed decision-makers, students will apply acquired knowledge to real
life experiences. When studying the legal and political systems, students
will become aware of their rights and responsibilities and put this
information into practice. The economic, legal, and political systems are
balanced for presentation and, like other social studies subjects, this
course lends itself to interdisciplinary teaching. The goals and objectives
are drawn from disciplines of political science, history, economics,
geography, and jurisprudence.
Strands: Geographic Relationships, Historical Perspectives, Economics and
Development, Government and Active Citizenship, Global Connections,
Technological Influences and Society, Individual Identity and Development,
Cultures and Diversity
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The learner will investigate the foundations of the
American political system and explore basic values and principles of
American democracy.
1.01 Describe how geographic diversity influenced economic, social, and
political life in colonial North America.
1.02 Trace and analyze the development of ideas about self-government in
British North America.
1.03 Examine the causes of the American Revolution.
1.04 Elaborate on the emergence of an American identity.
1.05 Identify the major domestic problems of the nation under the Articles of
Confederation and assess the extent to which they were resolved by the new
Constitution.
1.06 Compare viewpoints about government in the Federalist and the Anti-
Federalist Papers.
1.07 Evaluate the extent to which the Bill of Rights extended the
Constitution.
1.08 Compare the American system of government to other forms of government.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: The learner will analyze how the government established
by the United States Constitution embodies the purposes, values, and
principles of American democracy.
2.01 Identify principles in the United States Constitution.
2.02 Explain how the United States Constitution defines the framework,
organization and structure of the three branches of government at the
national level.
2.03 Explain how the United States Constitution grants and limits the
authority of public officials and government agencies.
2.04 Describe how the United States Constitution may be changed and analyze
the impact of specific changes.
2.05 Analyze court cases that illustrate that the United States Constitution
is the supreme law of the land.
2.06 Analyze court cases that demonstrate how the United States Constitution
and the Bill of Rights protect the rights of individuals.
2.07 Identify modern controversies related to powers of the federal
government that are similar to the debates between Federalists and Anti-
Federalists over ratification of the United States Constitution.
2.08 Examine taxation and other revenue sources at the national level of
government.
2.09 Describe the services provided by selected government agencies and how
funding is provided.
COMPETENCY GOAL 3: The learner will analyze how state and local government
is established by the North Carolina Constitution.
3.01 Identify the principles in the North Carolina Constitution and local
charters.
3.02 Explain how the North Carolina Constitution and local charters define
the framework, organization, and structure of government at the state and
local level.
3.03 Explain how the state constitution grants and limits the authority of
public officials and government agencies.
3.04 Describe how the state constitution and local charters may be changed,
and analyze the impact of specific changes.
3.05 Analyze court cases that illustrate that the North Carolina
Constitution is the law of the state.
3.06 Analyze how the Fourteenth Amendment extends the Bill of Rights’
protection to citizens of a state.
3.07 Identify modern controversies related to powers of the state government.
3.08 Examine taxation and other revenue sources at the state and local level.
3.09 Describe the services provided by state and local government agencies
and how funding is provided.
COMPETENCY GOAL 4: The learner will explore active roles as a citizen at the
local, state, and national levels of government.
4.01 Examine the structure and organization of political parties.
4.02 Describe the election process and the qualifications and procedures for
voting.
4.03 Analyze information on political issues and candidates seeking
political office.
4.04 Demonstrate active methods of promoting and inhibiting change through
political action.
4.05 Analyze consequences of compliance or noncompliance with laws governing
society.
4.06 Describe the benefits of civic participation.
4.07 Analyze costs and benefits of jury service, voting, seeking office, and
civic action at the local, state, and national level.
4.08 Participate in civic life, politics, and /or government.
4.09 Utilize various methods of resolving conflicts.
COMPETENCY GOAL 5: The learner will explain how the political and legal
systems provide a means to balance competing interests and resolve conflicts.
5.01 Evaluate the role of debate, consensus, compromise, and negotiation in
resolving conflicts.
5.02 Identify the jurisdiction of state and federal courts.
5.03 Describe the adversarial nature of the judicial process.
5.04 Evaluate the role of debate and compromise in the legislative process.
5.05 Explain how local government agencies balance interest and resolve
conflicts.
5.06 Analyze roles of individual citizens, political parties, the media, and
other interest groups in public policy decisions, dispute resolution, and
government action.
COMPETENCY GOAL 6: The learner will explain why laws are needed and how they
are enacted, implemented, and enforced at the national, state, and local
levels.
6.01 Trace the development of law in American society.
6.02 Cite examples of common, criminal, civil, constitutional,
administrative, and statutory law.
6.03 Identify the various procedures in the enactment, implementation, and
enforcement of law.
6.04 Identify ways citizens can be informed about the laws.
6.05 Investigate the role and responsibility of government to inform the
citizenry.
6.06 Analyze the role of lobby groups and special interest groups in the
enactment of legislation.
6.07 Compare responsibilities, jurisdictions, and methods of law enforcement
agencies.
6.08 Evaluate methods used by society to address criminal and anti-social
behaviors.
COMPETENCY GOAL 7: The learner will investigate how and why individuals and
groups make economic choices.
7.01 Describe the basic factors of production such as land, labor, capital,
and entrepreneurial skills and their impact on economic activities.
7.02 Explain how scarcity influences producers and consumers to make choices.
7.03 Compare examples of tradeoffs and opportunity costs of economic choices.
7.04 Analyze the impact on economic activities of specialization, division
of labor, consumption and production increases.
7.05 Explain the impact of investment on human, capital, productive, and
natural resources.
7.06 Compare and contrast how different economic systems address key economic
factors.
COMPETENCY GOAL 8: The learner will analyze features of the economic system
of the United States.
8.01 Compare characteristics of command, market, traditional, and mixed
economies.
8.02 Describe how the free enterprise system encourages private ownership of
property and promote individual initiative.
8.03 Explain the circular flow of economic activities and how interactions
determine the prices of goods and services.
8.04 Illustrate how supply and demand affects prices.
8.05 Predict how prices change when there is either a shortage or surplus.
8.06 Explain how changes in the level of competition can affect price and
output levels.
8.07 Identify and describe the roles and functions of various economic
institutions and business organizations.
8.08 Evaluate the investment decisions made by individuals, businesses, and
the government.
8.09 Describe the role of money in trading, borrowing, and investing.
COMPETENCY GOAL 9: The learner will analyze factors influencing the United
States economy.
9.01 Identify phases of the business cycle and the economic indicators used
to measure economic activities and trends.
9.02 Describe the impact of government regulation on specific economic
activities.
9.03 Explain the impact of the movement of human and capital resources on
the United States economy.
9.04 Assess how current events impact decisions made by consumers,
producers, and government policy makers.
9.05 Explain the impact on the United States economy of international trade
and global products.
9.06 Investigate the ways that domestic and international economies are
interdependent.
9.07 Analyze the short- and long-term effects of fiscal and monetary policy
on the United States economy.
9.08 Analyze the influence of environmental factors, economic conditions,
and policy decisions on individual economic activities.
COMPETENCY GOAL 10: The learner will develop, defend, and evaluate positions
on issues regarding the personal responsibilities of citizens in the
American constitutional democracy.
10.01 Explain the distinction between personal and civic responsibilities
and the tensions that may arise between them.
10.02 Develop, defend, and evaluate positions on issues regarding diversity
in American life.
10.03 Evaluate the importance of supporting, nurturing, and educating
oneself in the United States society.
10.04 Demonstrate characteristics of effective citizenship.
10.05 Describe examples of recurring public problems and issues.
10.06 Discuss the consequences and/or benefits of the freedom of economic,
legal, and political choices.
ELEVENTH GRADE
UNITED STATES HISTORY
The study of United States History in the eleventh grade is designed as a
survey course and a continuation of the Civics and Economics curriculum.
After the study of Civics and Economics, this survey course will begin with
the national period and the administration of George Washington. Throughout
the competency goals, there will be some overlap of time periods to allow
for teacher flexibility and to address the complexity of the issues and
events. The overall curriculum continues to current times. The focus of this
course provides students with a framework for studying political, social,
economic, and cultural issues, and for analyzing the impact these issues
have had on American society. This course goes beyond memorization of
isolated facts to the development of higher level thinking skills,
encouraging students to make historical assessments and evaluations.
Strands: Geographic Relationships, Historical Perspectives, Economics and
Development, Government and Active Citizenship, Global Connections,
Technological Influences and Society, Individual Identity and Development,
Cultures and Diversity
COMPETENCY GOAL 1: The New Nation (1789-1820) - The learner will identify,
investigate, and assess the effectiveness of the institutions of the
emerging republic.
1.01 Identify the major domestic issues and conflicts experienced by the
nation during the Federalist Period.
1.02 Analyze the political freedoms available to the following groups prior
to 1820: women, wage earners, landless farmers, American Indians, African
Americans, and other ethnic groups.
1.03 Assess commercial and diplomatic relationships with Britain, France,
and other nations.
COMPETENCY GOAL 2: Expansion and Reform (1801-1850) - The learner will
assess the competing forces of expansionism, nationalism, and sectionalism.
2.01 Analyze the effects of territorial expansion and the admission of new
states to the Union.
2.02 Describe how the growth of nationalism and sectionalism were reflected
in art, literature, and language.
2.03 Distinguish between the economic and social issues that led to
sectionalism and nationalism.
2.04 Assess political events, issues, and personalities that contributed to
sectionalism and nationalism.
2.05 Identify the major reform movements and evaluate their effectiveness.
2.06 Evaluate the role of religion in the debate over slavery and other
social movements and issues.
COMPETENCY GOAL 3: Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction (1848-1877) - The
learner will analyze the issues that led to the Civil War, the effects of
the war, and the impact of Reconstruction on the nation.
3.01 Trace the economic, social, and political events from the Mexican War
to the outbreak of the Civil War.
3.02 Analyze and assess the causes of the Civil War.
3.03 Identify political and military turning points of the Civil War and
assess their significance to the outcome of the conflict.
3.04 Analyze the political, economic, and social impact of Reconstruction on
the nation and identify the reasons why Reconstruction came to an end.
3.05 Evaluate the degree to which the Civil War and Reconstruction proved to
be a test of the supremacy of the national government.
COMPETENCY GOAL 4: The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor (1860s-1896) –
The learner will evaluate the great westward movement and assess the impact
of the agricultural revolution on the nation.
4.01 Compare and contrast the different groups of people who migrated to the
West and describe the problems they experienced.
4.02 Evaluate the impact that settlement in the West had upon different
groups of people and the environment.
4.03 Describe the causes and effects of the financial difficulties that
plagued the American farmer and trace the rise and decline of Populism.
4.04 Describe innovations in agricultural technology and business practices
and assess their impact on the West.
COMPETENCY GOAL 5: Becoming an Industrial Society (1877-1900) - The learner
will describe innovations in technology and business practices and assess
their impact on economic, political, and social life in America.
5.01 Evaluate the influence of immigration and rapid industrialization on
urban life.
5.02 Explain how business and industrial leaders accumulated wealth and
wielded political and economic power.
5.03 Assess the impact of labor unions on industry and the lives of workers.
5.04 Describe the changing role of government in economic and political
affairs.
COMPETENCY GOAL 6: The emergence of the United States in World Affairs (1890-
1914) - The learner will analyze causes and effects of the United States
emergence as a world power.
6.01 Examine the factors that led to the United States taking an
increasingly active role in world affairs.
6.02 Identify the areas of United States military, economic, and political
involvement and influence.
6.03 Describe how the policies and actions of the United States government
impacted the affairs of other countries.
COMPETENCY GOAL 7: The Progressive Movement in the United States (1890-
1914) - The learner will analyze the economic, political, and social reforms
of the Progressive Period.
7.01 Explain the conditions that led to the rise of Progressivism.
7.02 Analyze how different groups of Americans made economic and political
gains in the Progressive Period.
7.03 Evaluate the effects of racial segregation on different regions and
segments of the United States’ society.
7.04 Examine the impact of technological changes on economic, social, and
cultural life in the United States.
COMPETENCY GOAL 8: The Great War and Its Aftermath (1914-1930) - The learner
will analyze United States involvement in World War I and the war’s
influence on international affairs during the 1920’s.
8.01 Examine the reasons why the United States remained neutral at the
beginning of World War I but later became involved.
8.02 Identify political and military turning points of the war and determine
their significance to the outcome of the conflict.
8.03 Assess the political, economic, social, and cultural effects of the war
on the United States and other nations.
COMPETENCY GOAL 9: Prosperity and Depression (1919-1939) - The learner will
appraise the economic, social, and political changes of the decades of “The
Twenties” and “The Thirties.”
9.01 Elaborate on the cycle of economic boom and bust in the 1920’s and
1930’s.
9.02 Analyze the extent of prosperity for different segments of society
during this period.
9.03 Analyze the significance of social, intellectual, and technological
changes of lifestyles in the United States.
9.04 Describe challenges to traditional practices in religion, race, and
gender.
9.05 Assess the impact of New Deal reforms in enlarging the role of the
federal government in American life.
COMPETENCY GOAL 10: World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War (1930s-
1963) - The learner will analyze United States involvement in World War II
and the war’s influence on international affairs in following decades.
10.01 Elaborate on the causes of World War II and reasons for United States
entry into the war.
10.02 Identify military, political, and diplomatic turning points of the war
and determine their significance to the outcome and aftermath of the
conflict.
10.03 Describe and analyze the effects of the war on American economic,
social, political, and cultural life.
10.04 Elaborate on changes in the direction of foreign policy related to the
beginnings of the Cold War.
10.05 Assess the role of organizations established to maintain peace and
examine their continuing effectiveness.
COMPETENCY GOAL 11: Recovery, Prosperity, and Turmoil (1945-1980) - The
learner will trace economic, political, and social developments and assess
their significance for the lives of Americans during this time period.
11.01 Describe the effects of the Cold War on economic, political, and
social life in America.
11.02 Trace major events of the Civil Rights Movement and evaluate its
impact.
11.03 Identify major social movements including, but not limited to, those
involving women, young people, and the environment, and evaluate the impact
of these movements on the United States’ society.
11.04 Identify the causes of United States’ involvement in Vietnam and
examine how this involvement affected society.
11.05 Examine the impact of technological innovations that have impacted
American life.
11.06 Identify political events and the actions and reactions of the
government officials and citizens, and assess the social and political
consequences.
COMPETENCY GOAL 12: The United States since the Vietnam War (1973-present) –
The learner will identify and analyze trends in domestic and foreign affairs
of the United States during this time period.
12.01 Summarize significant events in foreign policy since the Vietnam War.
12.02 Evaluate the impact of recent constitutional amendments, court
rulings, and federal legislation on United States’ citizens.
12.03 Identify and assess the impact of economic, technological, and
environmental changes in the United States.
12.04 Identify and assess the impact of social, political, and cultural
changes in the United States.
12.05 Assess the impact of growing racial and ethnic diversity in American
society.
12.06 Assess the impact of twenty-first century terrorist activity on
American society
