Standard 4: Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs, and evaluate the role and impact of United States foreign policy.

General Information
Number: SS.7.C.4
Title: Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs, and evaluate the role and impact of United States foreign policy.
Type: Standard
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 7
Strand: Civics and Government

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Independent

SS.7.C.4.In.0
Identify that the United States government creates domestic policy to guide decisions at home and foreign policy to guide decisions in foreign countries.
SS.7.C.4.In.1
Identify ways the United States works with other nations through international organizations, such as the United Nations, Peace Corps, and World Health Organization.
SS.7.C.4.In.2
Identify how the United States has been involved in an international conflict.

Supported

SS.7.C.4.Su.0
Recognize that the United States government solves problems at home (domestic policies) and in other countries (foreign policies).
SS.7.C.4.Su.1
Recognize that the United States assists other nations, such as providing aid through the United Nations and Peace Corps.
SS.7.C.4.Su.2
Recognize that the United States has been involved in an international conflict.

Participatory

SS.7.C.4.Pa.0
Recognize that the government solves problems.
SS.7.C.4.Pa.1
Recognize that the United States helps other countries.
SS.7.C.4.Pa.2
Recognize an international conflict.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Lesson Plans

The United States and International Conflict:

In this lesson from the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship (FJCC) students examine conflict and cooperation using past and current international events. Students will analyze the conditions, actions, and motivations of past and current international events. Learning goals are based on the benchmark clarifications for the aligned standard.

  • Students will identify specific examples of international conflicts in which the United States has been involved.
  • Students will identify the reasons for the United States becoming involved in past international conflicts.
  • Students will analyze primary source documents pertaining to international incidents to determine the course of action taken by the United States.
  • Students will identify the different methods used by the United States to deal with international conflicts.

This resource includes a lesson plan, a “Civics on Demand” video for teachers that provides an introduction to the aligned standard, FJCC created civics assessment items and additional resources.

To access this resource, teachers will need to sign-in to the FJCC website when prompted. Creating an account is free.

Type: Lesson Plan

Understanding U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policy:

In this lesson from the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship (FJCC) students will differentiate between domestic and foreign policy, understand the goals of domestic and foreign policy and analyze the relationship between the two. Learning goals are based on the benchmark clarifications for the aligned standard.

  • Students will recognize the difference between domestic and foreign policy.
  • Students will identify issues that relate to U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
  • Students will analyze the domestic implications of U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
  • Students will identify the goals and objectives of U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
  • Students will recognize the role of the U.S. State Department in foreign affairs.

This resource includes a lesson plan, a “Civics on Demand” video for teachers that provides an introduction to the aligned standard, FJCC created civics assessment items and additional resources.

To access this resource, teachers will need to sign-in to the FJCC website when prompted. Creating an account is free.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

International Conflicts: 1961 to Present:

Learn about 5 international conflicts involving the United States from 1961 to the present, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Iraq War in this interactive tutorial. For each, you'll learn how the conflict began and how the U.S. responded.

Click HERE to open the companion tutorial, "International Conflicts: 1914 to 1975."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

International Conflicts: 1914-1975:

In this interactive tutorial, learn about 4 international conflicts in which the United States was involved between 1914 and 1975: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  For each conflict, you'll learn how and why the U.S. became involved and what the outcome was.

Click HERE to open the companion tutorial, "International Conflicts: 1961 to Present."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Foreign and Domestic Policy :

Learn about the United States' foreign and domestic policy in this interactive tutorial.  You'll also take an "international flight" to see how the U.S. conducts foreign policy abroad with the help of the State Department.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

International Organizations:

Learn about the international organizations with which the United States government and its citizens are involved. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

International Conflicts: 1961 to Present:

Learn about 5 international conflicts involving the United States from 1961 to the present, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Iraq War in this interactive tutorial. For each, you'll learn how the conflict began and how the U.S. responded.

Click HERE to open the companion tutorial, "International Conflicts: 1914 to 1975."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

International Conflicts: 1914-1975:

In this interactive tutorial, learn about 4 international conflicts in which the United States was involved between 1914 and 1975: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  For each conflict, you'll learn how and why the U.S. became involved and what the outcome was.

Click HERE to open the companion tutorial, "International Conflicts: 1961 to Present."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Foreign and Domestic Policy :

Learn about the United States' foreign and domestic policy in this interactive tutorial.  You'll also take an "international flight" to see how the U.S. conducts foreign policy abroad with the help of the State Department.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

International Organizations:

Learn about the international organizations with which the United States government and its citizens are involved. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.