Colorado State Academic Standards Focus on Political Geography

1. ColoradoState Academic StandardsFocus on Political Geography Rebecca Theobald, Assistant Professor Adjoint University of Colorado Colorado Springs Conflict in Afghanistan Workshop February 11, 2011

2. Social Studies Standard 2Geography The study of geography creates an informed person with an understanding of spatial perspective and technologies for spatial analysis; and an awareness of the interdependence of the world regions and resources, and how places are connected at the local, national, and global scales. Students understand the complexity and interrelatedness of people, places, and environments. Geography helps students appreciate the dynamic relationships and complexity of the world. The skills, concepts, and knowledge acquired in geography are fundamental literacy components for a 21st century student. Use of critical thinking, information literacy, collaboration, self-direction, and invention are apparent in every facet of geographic education. Geography helps students develop a framework for understanding the world, ultimately contributing to the creation of informed citizens.

3. Social Studies: Headline 5 The social studies standards were written to support a pedagogical approach that encourages the acquisition of concepts and skills through content. • Balance between 21st century skills, concepts and skills, and content acquisition. • Create students ready for the 21st century. • Skills key to diverse, competitive workforce, and responsible citizenry. • Use critical thinking, self-assessment, reasoning, problem-solving, collaboration, research, and investigation to make connections in new and innovative ways. http://www.cde.state.co.us/sitoolkit/ComparisonTools.htm

4. Discipline Concept Map

5. Prepared Graduates • The prepared graduate competencies are the preschool through twelfth-grade concepts and skills that all students who complete the Colorado education system must master to ensure their success in a postsecondary and workforce setting. • Prepared Graduate Competencies in the Geography standard are:  Develop spatial understanding, perspectives, and personal connections to the world  Examine places and regions and the connections among them

6. Grade Level Expectations:High School 1. Use different types of maps and geographic tools to analyze features on Earth to investigate and solve geographic questions 2. Explain and interpret geographic variables that influence the interactions of people, places and environments 3. The interconnected nature of the world, its people and places

7. One thread in Geography Examine places and regions and the connections among them 3. The interconnected nature of the world, its people and places d. Analyze how cooperation and conflict influence the division and control of Earth

8. “More than just a variable: using geography and location to identify spatial patterns in conflict” Nature of Geography: 1. Spatial thinkers evaluate global systems … 2. Spatial thinkers study the interconnection between physical processes and human activities that help shape the Earth’s surface. 3. Spatial thinkers analyze how people’s lives and identities are rooted in time and place.

9. Inquiry Questions: 1. What is the significance of spatial orientation, place, and location? 2. How can maps be used for political purposes? 3. How can current world events change maps? 4. How do the division and control of the physical, social, political, and cultural spaces on Earth cause cooperation or conflict? 5. What would the world map look like if physical geography was the defining variable for country boundaries?

10. “Theories and Themes in Political Geography, or what do political geographers study? “ • Scale • Nationalism • Conflict

11. Scale • Part of broad description • Sixth Grade, under “Use geographic tools to solve problems” a. Use longitude, latitude, and scale on maps and globes to solve problems • Seventh Grade, Inquiry Question 1. Why do geographers use a variety of maps to represent the world?

12. Nationalism • Term not cited in social studies standards • High School, 2. “Explain and interpret geographic variables that influence the interactions of people, places and environments” Inquiry Question: 3. Why do countries and cultures struggle to maintain spatial cohesiveness and national identity? • Fifth Grade: Relevance and Application • 1. Individuals understand the consequences and causes of movement to make connections to current personal or international events such as hurricane victims moving from storms, refugees fleeing from war, and economic hardship causing relocation for better jobs.

13. Conflict Eighth Grade Grade Level Expectation: 2. Conflict and cooperation occur over space and resources Evidence Outcome: Analyze how economic, political, cultural, and social processes interact to shape patterns of human population, interdependence, cooperation and conflict Inquiry Questions 1. How will the location of resources lead to cooperation or conflict in the future? 2. How has conflict over space and resources influenced human migration? 3. How have differing perspectives regarding resource and land use lead to cooperative policies or conflict? Relevance and Application: Nations are working cooperatively or are engaged in conflict over the division and control of land, water, and other resources. Nature of Geography: Spatial thinkers study how different perspectives affect cooperation and conflict over space and resources.

14. Conflict, continued • High School Inquiry Question: 4. How do the division and control of the physical, social, political, and cultural spaces on Earth cause cooperation or conflict? • High School Relevance and Application 2. The location of resources, physical boundaries, and natural hazards affect human interaction such as conflicts over water rights, and location of resources in relation to trade routes and consumers.

15. Conflict, continued • High School Grade Level Expectations a. Explain how the uneven distribution of resources in the world can lead to conflict, competition, or cooperation among nations, regions, and cultural groups d. Analyze how cooperation and conflict influence the division and control of Earth

16. Conflict, continued • Inquiry Questions 2. How do cooperation and conflict influence the division and control of the social, economic, and political spaces on Earth? • Relevance and Application 2. Technology creates new life choices, new interconnections between people, new opportunities, and new conflicts. For example the spread of knowledge and democratic ideals throughout the world changes lives.

17. Conflict, Continued • Fifth Grade Grade Level Expectation d. Analyze how cooperation and conflict among people contribute to political, economic, and social divisions in the United States

18. Questions How much actual control do you have in the classroom at this school over the following areas of your planning and teaching: • What guidelines do you have for creating lessons? • Do you have to cite a standard for each lesson? • Are you able to select textbooks and other materials? • Are you able to select content topics and skills? • Do you choose which parts of the curriculum to emphasize in your instruction?

19. Political Geography • Geography first • Political in context

20. Reference • http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/UAS/AdoptedAcademicStandards/Social_Studies_Adopted_12.10.09.pdf • http://www.cde.state.co.us/sitoolkit/DisciplineConceptMap1.htm • http://www.cde.state.co.us/sitoolkit/Downloads/DisciplineMaps/social%20studies/SS_WorldGeography.pdf