Camden Conference Curriculum Enrichment Program and Social Studies Standards in the Maine Learning Results
Listed below are the key elements of International Relations and their relationship to the Social Studies Standards and Performance Indicators:
Policy Assessment
In assessing US Foreign Policy, consider the significance of strategy. Wherein a clear goal may well exist in policy, implementation of action steps to achieve that goal may or may not succeed. Explore US Policy in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India and consider policy successes and failures, lessons learned from each and a way forward for US Policymakers in the 21st century.
Related Learning Results Performance Indicators:
- A1 Researching and Developing Positions on Current Social Studies Issues
- B3 Individual, Cultural, International, and Global Connections in Civics / Gov.
- E1 Historical Knowledge, Concepts, Themes, and Patterns
Conflict Analysis
The lens through which International Relations can best be understood is one where conflict can be viewed as a crisis in Human Interaction. Where resources, power and identity all contribute to the dynamics of conflict, the focus needs to stay on the changing dynamics of interaction patterns as the interaction unfolds between and among individuals, groups or nation states.
Related Learning Results Performance Indicators:
- B1 Knowledge, Concepts, Themes and Patterns of Civics/Government
- C1 Economic Knowledge, Concepts Themes and Patterns
- D2 Individual, Cultural, International and Global Connections in Geography
Cross-Cultural Considerations
Cross-cultural consideration explores the shared set of assumptions, beliefs and values of individuals, groups or nation states. One of the challenges in working through cross-cultural differences occurs when differing perceptions and views of the world are not made explicit. All too often, a wink and a smile from one person’s vantage point is interpreted and understood differently from the other’s point of view. The resulting confusion leads to miscommunication and conflict, muddying the water of our work. Cross-cultural consideration seeks clarity out of confusion through dialogue, exchange and education.
Related Learning Results Performance Indicators:
- D2 Individual, Cultural, International and Global connections in Geography
- E2 Individual, Cultural, International and Global connections in History
- B2 Rights, Duties, Responsibilities and Citizen Participation in Government
Impact of Globalization
Globalization is best understood as the interrelationship between nations, and though associated primarily with economic forces, globalization has come to represent the impact of one nation’s actions upon the global community- politically, economically, culturally and environmentally.
Related Learning Results Performance Indicators:
- C2 Individual, Cultural, International and Global Connections in Economics
- D1 Geographic Knowledge, Concepts, Themes and Patterns
- A3 Taking Action Using Social Studies Knowledge and Skills