Australia

The student will be able to locate selected features of Australia. Located on a world and regional political-physical map: the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Ayers Rock, and Great Victoria Desert.

The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution in Australia. Describe how Australia's location, climate, and natural resources have affected where people live. Describe how Australia's location, climate, and natural resources impact trade.

The student will describe the cultural characteristics of people who live in Australia. Explain the impact of English colonization on the language and religion of Australia. Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living.

The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential.

The student will explain the structure of the national government of Australia. Describe the federal parliamentary democracy of Australia, distinguishing form of leadership, type of legislature, and the role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms.

The student will analyze different economic systems. Compare how traditional, command, and market, economies answer the economic questions of 1 -what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. Explain how most countries have a mixed economy located on a continuum between pure and market and pure command. Describe the economic system used in Australia.

The student will give examples of how voluntary trade benefits buyers and sellers in Australia. Explain how specialization makes trade possible between countries. Compare and contrast different types of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas and embargoes. Explain why international trade requires a system for exchanging currency between nations.

The student will describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or absence in Australia. Explain the relationship between investment in human capital (education and training) and gross domestic product (GDP)Explain the relationship between investment in capital goods (factories, machinery, and technology) and gross domestic product (GDP)Describe the role of natural resources in a country's economy. Describe the role of entrepreneurship.

The student will describe the culture and development of Australia prior to contact with Europeans. Describe the origins and culture of the Aborigines.

The student will explain the impact European exploration and colonization had on Australia. Explain the reasons for British colonization of Australia; include the use of prisoners as colonists. Explain the impact of European colonization of Australia in terms of diseases and weapons on the indigenous peoples of Australia.