The Ten Themes of Social Studies with Indicators

The Ten Themes of Social Studies with Indicators

Behavioral indicators of capabilities for teaching social studies:

Adapted from the NCSS/NCATE matrix

Theme Eight: Science, Technology & Society

Enable learners to identify, describe and examine both current and historical examples of the interaction and interdependence of science, technology and society in a variety of cultural settings.

Provide opportunities for learners to make judgments about how science and technology have transformed the physical world and human society and our understanding of time, space, place and human-environment interactions.

Have learners analyze the way in which science and technology influence core societal values and beliefs and attitudes and how societal attitudes shape scientific and technological change.

Help learners to identify and interpret various perspectives about human societies and the physical world using scientific knowledge, technologies and ethical standards from diverse world cultures.

Encourage learners to formulate strategies and develop policy proposals for influencing public discussions associated with science/technology-society issues.

Theme Nine: Global Connections and Interdependence

Help learners to explain conditions and motivations that contribute to conflict, cooperation and interdependence among groups, societies and nations.

Provide opportunities for learners to analyze and evaluate the effects of changing technologies on the global community.

Challenge learners to analyze the causes, consequences and possible solutions to persistent, contemporary an emerging global issues such as health care, security, resource allocation, economic development and environmental quality.

Guide learner analysis of the relationships and tensions between national sovereignty and global interest in such matters as territorial disputes, economic development weapons deployment use of natural resources and human rights concerns.