Secondary-level history textbooks' treatments of United States-Soviet relations can be biased and misleading. Ideological treatments present the relationship as a struggle between good and evil; "real politik" treatments recognize opposing viewpoints but are usually subordinate interpretations. Neither approach discusses U.S.-Soviet…

United States-based publishing firms dominate the Canadian learning materials market; their business and editorial practices suppress Canadian viewpoints and undermine Canadian publishers. Provincial and federal measures intended to strengthen domestic publishing have been adequate only in central Canada. As information technology advances,…

An analysis of 50 textbooks used in the elementary schools of the former Belgian Congo reveals an overt attempt to propagate colonial ideology. Fundamental themes included the legitimacy of the colonization, denigration of the indigenous culture, and establishment of colonial authority. Three books, however, resisted this indoctrination and one…

Considers the ubiquitous use of textbooks in social studies classrooms and recommends constructing critical-thinking exercises revealing textual bias. Suggested exercises concern issues of emotional or ambiguous language, geographic and cultural inclusion/exclusion, and accuracy of data. Includes several examples of critical-thinking activities.…

A study is described that will investigate whether cultural referents found in the Defense Language Institute (DLI) American Language Course are biased toward North American cultural norms, and whether Saudi Arabian military personnel in language training using those materials are affected by the cultural information contained within them. The…

Depicts the problems encountered by a Soviet history teacher whose textbooks and materials have not kept pace with the policy of Glasnost and student attitudes. Suggests that textbooks be replaced with original documents, scholarly articles, and memoirs. (SLM)

Asserts that decisions regarding textbook content China are political and determined by the central government. Reports on a study of 15 elementary and secondary geography textbooks published between 1948 and 1991. Finds that the image of the United States portrayed in these books has changed dramatically. (CFR)

Reports a survey of 66 history textbooks, published after 1980, to determine the extent of sex equity content. Found that no examined text met the sex equity policy of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Describes the treatment of females as inaccurate, marginal, incidental, and trivial. Provides examples from the texts surveyed. (LS)

Characterizes economist John Maynard Keynes as immoral, decadent, and short sighted. Criticizes his economic theories for manifesting these same qualities and claims that these theories hold predominant sway over high school economics education. Mentions several supposedly biased passages from textbooks but provides no examples. (MJP)

This handbook explores ways of creating unbiased educational experiences for students in non-stereotyped learning environments for kindergarten to grade 4. An examination is made of the sexual, racial, and cultural biases displayed by textbooks and curricula currently in use, with suggestions offered on how to present these materials in an…

Designed for curriculum directors, teachers, and others as they conduct inservice education activities which focus on helping those who have primary responsibility for selecting and evaluating instructional materials, this volume presents selected sections from Volume I of the "1982-83 Michigan Social Studies Textbook Study." In this study, ten…

Asserts that there is an important difference between history as socially constructed knowledge and as an objective, fixed account. Reports on a content analysis of three high school world history texts to determine how the meaning from them may be influenced in the content and power relations implicit in the textbook language. (CFR)

Outlines an inservice-teacher workshop, used in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, intended for high school teachers who focus on the modern Middle East. Defines the critical thinking process it recommends: questioning assumptions, gathering information, and evaluating material. Describes small-group sessions that evaluate textbooks and news…

This handbook explores ways of creating unbiased educational experiences for students in non-stereotyped learning environments for grades 5-8. An examination is made of the sexual, racial, and cultural biases displayed by textbooks and curricula currently in use, with suggestions offered on how to present these materials in an unbiased manner. New…

Examines the possibility of developing a socially critical geography curriculum in Australian schools. Emphasizes teachers' responsibility to evaluate, select, and use appropriate instructional materials. Explains technical, interpretive, and critical approaches to geography instruction by contrasting three activities based on "Women of…