CXC CSEC Social Studies exam guide - Section A: Individual, family and society

CXC CSEC Social Studies Exam Guide (effective May/June 2010)

Section A: Individual, Family and Society

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The students should be able to:

Explain and use correctly concepts and terms associated with the family as listed in content 1,

Explanation of the following concepts and terms associated with the family:

(a) marriage

(b) annulment

(c) legal separation

(d) divorce

(e) alimony

(f) Kinship

(g) sibling

(h) status

(i) extended family

(j) nuclear family

(k) monogamy

(l) bigamy

(m) polyandry

(n) polygyny

(o) inheritance

(p) patriarchal

(q) matriarchal

(r) patrifocal

(s) matrifocal

(t) matrilineal

(u) patrilineal

(v) incest

The functions of the family in contemporary Caribbean society:

(a) As a unit of procreation

(b) As a social unit for rearing
children, namely, the socialization of
the individual;

(c) As a economic unit for satisfying
basic needs;

(d) As a social unit for satisfying
emotional and psychological
needs.

examine the roles, relationships, and responsibilities of adult and sibling members of a Caribbean family;

Factors which contribute to the hanging roles and responsibilities of members of the Caribbean family:

(a) Status of women in society;

(b) Choice of employment;

(c) Available technology;

(d) Leisure activities;

(e) Educational opportunities.

Results of the changing roles and responsibilities of members of the Caribbean family:

(a) Identity crisis;

(b) Marginalisation of the male;

(c) Role conflict;

(d) Development of self esteem and confidence of women/
independence of women.

Preparation for parenthood - physical, economic, emotional and psychological readiness.

Examine the characteristics of effective parenting

Characteristics of a good parent:

(a) problem solving skills;

(b) communcation skills;

(c) socializing skills;

(d) disciplinary skills;

(e) knowledge of good nutrition;

(f) showing love/warmth;

(g)money management skills.

Contemporary social issues which influence Caribbean family life:

(a) child abuse,

(b) incest,

(c) street children,

(d) promiscuity,

(e) sexually transmitted diseases,

(e) teenage pregnancy,

(f) juvenile delinquency,

(g) substance abuse,

(h) poverty,

(i) domestic violence,

(j) desertion,

(k) alternative life styles,

(l) suicide,

(m) care and concern for the aged and
those with special needs.

Laws related to,

(a) inheritance,

(b) childcare

(c) legal separation

(d) divorce.

(e) domestic violence.

The cultural diversity of the Caribbean region.

(a) The existence of cultural patterns,
customs, ceremonies, religins and
festivals in the Caribbean region;

(b) Promotion of ancestral customs, art,
craft, language, music, dance and
folklore by national,organizations and
groups.

Explanation of the following terms and concepts associated with social groups:

(a) primary group

secondary group

formal group

informal group

peer group

interest group

voluntary and involuntary membership

culture

institution

social copntrol

folkways

norms

mores

laws

(b) examples of

primary

secondary

formal and

informal groups

found in the Caribbean

Requirements for group cohesion:

- leadeship,

- control,

- cooperation,

- authority,

- committment,

- loyalty

Aspects of social interction within and among groups:

competition,

conflict,

cooperation,

compromise.

Characteristics of institutions:

Institutions as:

(a) A social norm:

(i) Made up of norms, mores, and
values;

(ii) Endure over time

(iii) Can be modified

(iv) Influence the workings of society

(v) Form the basis for the development of organizations.

(b) An organization:

(i) hierarchical structure

(ii) specific function

(iii) written rules

(iv) fixed sanctions

(v) endure over time

(vi) symbols

(vii) rituals

Functions of institutions:

(a) economic

(b) educational

(c) recreational

(d) religious

(e) political

Preparation for elections:

(a) select candidates

(b) raise funds

(c) conduct campaigns

(d) identify important issues

(e) monitor the party in power/
opposition

(f) monitor the electoral process

(g) commission public opinion polls

(h) publish manifesto

Impact of the following on elections:

(a) media coverage

(b) campaign advertising

(c) public opinion polls

(d) voter turnout

(e) voter attitude to government

(f) campaign strategy

(g) campaign spending

Influences on voter turnout:

(a) campaign issues

(b) candidates

(c) voter attitudes toward government

(d) voter loyalty to political parties

(e) voter apathy

(f) education

(g) age

(h) income

Types of government systems -

crown colony

constitutional monarchy

republicanism

Sturucture of government - principle of separation of powers.

(a) Legislature -structure, composition
and functions,steps in
making laws, the role of
the opposition,the role of
the head of state.

(b) Executive - compostion and functions,
The role of the Civil
service.

(c) Judiciary - structure of the court
system, Functions of
magistrates' courts, high
courts, privy council,
Caribbean Court of Justice.

(d) Role of the security systems - e.g.
police service, prison
service.

Functions of government:

a) raise revenue through direct and
indirect taxation;

(b) provide social services: welfare,
education, health, public utilities;

(c) manange the finances of the country
(budgeting);

(d) maintain law and order;

(e) create employment opportunities;

(f) maintain international relations;

(g) defend the nation state.

relationship between citizen and government as stated in the constitution,

(a) Definition of the following terms and concepts,

constitution

democracy

authoritarian

(b) human rights,

freedom and responsibility

(c) role of the Ombudsman

characteristics of good governance -

participation,

independence of the judiciary,

transparency,

accountability

responsiveness to the needs of
citizens,

access to information,

prudent use of resources,

efficient civil service

consultation

tolerance of freedom of
expression