Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (0511)

III. Citizenship and Social Science

The questions in this section of the test will assess examinees' knowledge, understanding, and ability to use the major concepts and modes of inquiry from the social sciences with an emphasis on the ability to make connections and comparisons among major historical events and ideas, especially those that have connections to contemporary events and problems. Test questions from the following four thematic areas also address the examinees' ability to make informed decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse democratic society and interdependent world.

1. Historical Continuity and Change
   1. Demonstrate the ability to use chronological thinking skills and to use and analyze historical data (e.g., timelines, maps, graphs, and tables)
   2. Distinguish between fact and opinion with respect to primary and other historical documents (e.g., U.S. Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, essays, speeches)
   3. Demonstrate understanding of multiple points of view with respect to primary and other historical documents (e.g., essays, famous speeches, interview transcripts, personal narratives)
   4. Demonstrate understanding of the significance of historical artifacts, oral traditions, and historical places (e.g., religious holy sites, ancient cities)
   5. Identify and demonstrate understanding of the impact of individuals, groups, religions, social organizations, and movements on history (e.g., Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Mohammed, Mahatma Ghandi, Eleanor Roosevelt, imperialism, worldwide immigration and cultural diffusion, the Industrial Revolution, women's and Civil Rights movements, post-Second World War technological advances)
   6. Identify and demonstrate understanding of the causes, results, and consequences of social, political, economic, and military events (e.g., the U.S. Revolutionary War and Civil War, independence struggles, the slave trade, U.S. westward expansion, the First and Second World Wars, industrialization and immigration)

2. People, Places, and Geographic Regions
   1. Demonstrate understanding of the interaction between people and places, especially the impact of human activity on the physical environment, the environment's impact on people's lives and culture, and human adaptation to the environment
   2. Demonstrate the ability to use basic geographic literacy skills (e.g., geographic tools: maps, graphs, charts)

3. Civics and Government
   1. Demonstrate an understanding of major systems of government and how they function, including the major features of the U.S. political system
   2. Demonstrate an understanding of rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens (e.g., voting, taxation, civic participation)

4. Scarcity and Economic Choice
   1. Demonstrate an understanding of the economic factors and principles that affect individuals, institutions, nations, and events, and how economic factors interact with other factors such as geographic features and cultural values