This book stresses that the social studies curriculum in U.S. elementary and secondary schools is the basic core for conveying to new generations the concepts, values, and abilities that will allow the society to survive and prosper. In the 1950s, the concern was over the adequacy of courses being taught and the lack of a cohesive structure that…

Although the humanistic and democratic practices in the Czech Republic secondary schools are currently insufficient due to the communist regime prior to 1989, a tradition exists in the Czech cultural background for humanity and democracy in education, and those values can be incorporated into the school environment again. The long term isolation…

The research project has been funded by the Swedish National Board of Education (NBE) since 1983 and will be formally concluded and reported on in 1987 and 1988. This project forms parts of the NBE's work on the teaching of science and social subjects in compulsory school and is to include the analysis and testing of the feasibility of integrating…

A broad survey of democratic political attitudes of United States and West German students was developed jointly by the Governmental Education Division of the Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and the Bundeszentrale fur politische Bildung in Bonn. This survey sought to probe twelfth-year students' attitudes toward…

This report describes an instructional unit on government documents for college freshmen, implemented at the university library at Southest Missouri State University. Government documents in the federal depository library were the focus for the unit. In the introductory session to library use, the students often received only a cursory…

Contends that much of the controversy of contemporary U.S. politics is a replay of the constitutional drama that occurred more than 200 years ago. Maintains that the roles of James Madison and Virginia in the writing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution provide six lessons for teachers and students. (CFR)

Presents findings of an exploration of 258 elementary education majors' knowledge of U.S. government. Reports that students responded correctly to about 53 percent of test items. Indicates that students knew the most about guarantees of liberty and least about governmental powers. Questions the students' ability to teach about the ways the U.S.…

The need for research on academic freedom as it applies to the K-12 level is addressed. The existing literature in the area of academic freedom, while often critical, rhetorical, and prescriptive, never calls for research. Indeed, there are very few examples of research in this area. Two separate ERIC (Educational Research Information Center)…

Global education lacks a content base due to differing educational approaches. Combining the expected outcomes of liberal education, consisting of the development of effective thinking, effective communication, and value judgments, with the added dimension of the interconnectedness and complexity of the contemporary world can provide a framework…

Contends that thousands of high schools subscribe to the daily "Channel One" newscast. Outlines a literature review and survey of 600 high school students about their attitudes toward "Channel One." Finds students generally have positive feelings about the news program but not about the commercials. (CFR)

Reviews theory and research on the relationship between classroom climate and citizenship outcomes in elementary settings. Compares democratic learning environments described by three studies. Suggests that free expression, peer interaction in cooperative activities, respect for diverse viewpoints, and student participation in decision making…

Reviews descriptions of history courses in catalogs of 24 public universities from 1910-90. Finds consistent trends in the history curriculum to be expanding coverage of geographical areas; reduced coverage of specific historical periods; and a striking and recent expansion of subgroups. (CFR)

Discusses the heuristic value of John Meyer's social theory on citizenship, education, and the nation state in relation to Fritz Ringer's three dimensions of education. Suggests that national differences correspond to differences in centralized or decentralized education policies. (CFR)

Reports on a study of views of friendship among 20 5- and 6-year-old British students. Finds that boys and girls were able to interpret friendships as transactions. Also finds differences between boys and girls on their understanding of "bad friends." (CFR)

Describes the author's first meeting with curriculum specialist Hilda Taba and his subsequent work on the Taba Curriculum Project. Discusses the project's objectives, major features, and the instructional strategies necessary for implementation. Concludes by discussing Taba's impact on curriculum design and development. (CFR)