Heeney critiques two works on, respectively, American and Canadian independent schools: "The Elite Schools" by Leonard Baird and "A Question of Privilege" by Carolyn Gossage. He discusses the social context of their historical model, the English public school, and draws comparisons to the schools described in these two works.…

Traces the history of kindergartens in Japan. Maintains that the Japanese government embraced the concept and modified it to encourage modernization. Includes 10 photographs of wood block prints showing how Friedrich Froebel's moral lessons were replicated in Japanese settings. (CFR)

Eleanor Roosevelt's commercial radio broadcasts during her White House years (1933-1945) were significant for three reasons. First, she was one of the few women who performed as a news commentator during this period. Her ability to pursue such a career owed much to her position as First Lady and represented the merging of the roles of celebrity…

This paper traces selected sociological, anthropological and psychological interpretations of work and play and their implications for classroom practice. Conflict theorists' views of the impact of industrialization on the family and the school and the increasing separation of the worlds of play and work are counterposed to functionalist models of…

Reviews school curriculum treatment of the Constitution noting inadequacies of early instructional methods and textbooks and a dramatic decline of education about the Constitution which began during the progressive education era. Presents the results of surveys which indicate a lack of constitutional knowledge among our youth. Concludes with a…

Examines the life of James Madison, Founding Father and "theoretic statesman." Focuses specifically on Madison's education and character, his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his civic legacy: a selfless devotion to republican government and union. (JDH)

Provides a brief biography of D. W. Griffith, the producer of "Birth of a Nation." Includes a synthesis of reviews of this classic film and suggestions for using the recently released, inexpensive videotaped version in the secondary social studies classroom. (JDH)

Argues that Native American tribes encounter major legal problems in the practice of traditional religions due to differences between Native and Anglo American worldviews. Examines the ideology of civilization underlying values in American jurisprudence, foundations of American Indian law, and relevant constitutional law. Contains over 200…

This review of the literature about fictional and actual utopian communities focuses on parents and children in American utopias. Introductory comments explore the history and defining characteristics of utopias. The next section highlights references to women, children, education, and parenting in several fictional utopias, including Plato's…

Views on the importance of the woman's contributions to shaping culture and the role of female leadership at Mount Holyoke College are considered. According to historian Mary Ritter Beard, the "woman's tradition" of imparting a progressive social consciousness to the culture has been an important influence. Beard addressed Mount Holyoke…

Using generalizations based on pre-U.S. Civil War era history to interpret U.S. social history, this paper presents: (1) the effects of various social institutions in history on civic values; (2) the current role of U.S. colleges and universities as social institutions; and (3) curriculum development suggestions for the preparation of civic…

Examines the Cherokees' deliberate adoption of the laws of the white man, focusing on the blood feud--a retaliation system designed to deal with homicide. Discusses cultural bases of Cherokee law and factors influencing the change to a jury system and noted key events of the adoption period (1797 to 1840). (JHZ)

During the late 1940s and much of the 1950s, attitudes towards outdoor education in Scotland were rooted in militaristic concerns with character building through adventure training and civic activities. During the late 1950s and the 1960s, the purposes of the field were seen as recreation, leisure education, personal and social development, and…

Presents an overview of Turner's thesis that the migration westward produced a unique democratic tradition and a distinctive American character. Discusses Richard Hofstadter's and Ray Allen Bellington's reactions to this thesis. Notes the concepts of Bellington in support of Turner' thesis and those concepts of Hofstadter that oppose Turner's…

Recalls highlights on student days in a one-room country school. Describes school maintenance routines, individualized instruction, school programs, and holiday celebrations. Concludes that alumni of one-room schools are proud of their heritage and feel that the education they received reflects the nation's finest values. (JHZ)