The world history survey course has experienced stunning success within American higher education. In the space of three decades, it has grown from an embattled alternative to the Western civilization sequence to a cornerstone of university history programs. The survey has become standard not only as an introduction for the history major, but also…

The importance of content-focused professional development for high school teachers has been widely recognized by educators and legislators. Professionals in education at all levels have long argued for more contacts between secondary and post-secondary instructors as one important way to improve subject matter mastery. In response to this call,…

Nancy Siraisi has been a prolific and leading scholar in the history of medicine and science of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This lecture of hers is the twenty-eighth of series of lectures named for Charles Homer Haskins, first chairman of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and himself a famed medievalist who brought…

This article presents four stories of personal experiences of China. In "A Journey Between China's Past and Present," Peter Hessler, a former Peace Corps volunteer and author, highlights misconceptions between Chinese and Americans and the desire both peoples share for knowledge about one another. In "Life on Liberation…

Argues against a graduate field of study in world history as too general. Suggests developing a specialization in comparative history to encompass major culture areas. Uses multiple elements to develop comparative history courses. Proposes graduate seminars where students discuss works in cross-cultural comparative history. (NL)

Discusses the views of Paul Gagnon and his book "Democracy's Untold Story." Examines the drawbacks of teaching the type of Western civilization course advocated by Gagnon and argues that schools should continue the quest for a teachable approach to world history. Includes suggestions for improving the typical world history course. (GEA)

Discusses keys to success that secondary teachers should keep in mind when trying to teach world history to urban students deficient in basic skills. First, the objective of the lesson must be relevant to the student. Second, skill deficiencies must be provided for when planning the lesson. (RM)

Discusses the goals of high school world history instruction. States that the instructional challenge for world history teachers is to create a curriculum that builds the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to develop a world perspective that rejects stereotypes and opens the doors to tolerance and respect for differences. (JDH)

Advocates changing world history curriculum to emphasize multiculturalism and global citizenship. (PKP)

Discusses problems inherent in planning the curriculum focus and goals of a world history course. Examines major options, including recent studies prepared by the College Board. Offers 17 specific goals for a world history course, from the definition of historical evidence to the role of science and technology throughout history. Concludes that…

Argues that history is worth studying because it alone can begin to help us find who we are and what choices we may have before us. Discusses the particular significance of history within self-governing, democratic societies. Asserts that American students must be familiar with history of other cultures and periods before Columbus. (KH)

This research work investigates the problem of "Leadership, and the Ethical Dimension: A Comparative Curricula Approach." The research problem is investigated from the academic areas of (1) philosophy; (2) comparative curricula; (3) subject matter areas of English literature and intellectual history; (4) religion; and (5) psychology. Different…

Discusses how periodization (the categorizing of history into identifiable periods) can be used effectively in world history courses to make the subject matter manageable and to avoid overwhelming the students with details. Presents a schema which interweaves technology, economic contacts, and cultural systems to help students handle the idea of…

Describes the idea of the null curriculum in the context of teaching about genocide. Explores obstacles that prevent educators from teaching about genocides other than the Holocaust. Explains how teachers can begin teaching about other genocides in their classrooms. (CMK)

Discusses the current debate over history's proper role in the social studies curriculum, emphasizing the view that it must contribute significantly to social learning in order to warrant expansion. Stating that the debate is just beginning, the author suggests that students should become involved in the "rich intellectual ferment" of…