Discusses the increasing availability of law, justice, and legal history as a first-year college course. Explains that the course is an interdisciplinary one, mostly taught by political scientists, sociologists, historians, and lawyers. Reviews available college and law school textbooks that could be used in the course. (SG)

Analyzes the content of South African history text books from the primary level upwards and from the 1980s to the most recent publications. The considerable changes in the content of these books seem to be based on two different theoretical models: the multicultural model and the notion of the universality of humanity. (Contains 40 references.)…

The authors examined the crowd sections of 20 introduction to sociology textbooks, coding them for the presence of seven crowds myths--claims about crowds that have no empirical support and have been rejected by scholars in the field. The number of myths per book ranges from five to one. The authors conclude by making suggestions for rewriting…

This article focuses on geographical education in Greece and Cyprus (Southern Cyprus). The two countries have different sets of books for their educational systems, approved by the relevant Ministries of Education. Since the teaching of these officially approved sets of books is compulsory, the context of geographical education in these countries…

New teachers and those without a strong background in geography tend to neglect "higher level" thinking, including causal explanations and thinking about reasons in primary school geography. This is a problem that training has yet to address effectively, at least in the UK. It could be that children's textbooks may help such teachers…

This report is intended to be used as a tool to aid educators in selecting the basic instructional materials that are best suited to their high school American history programs and to the teachers and students who will use the materials. This volume contains comprehensive analyses of 11 United States history textbook programs that have come on the…

This study, undertaken in 1963, analyzed the references made to religion in elementary social studies textbooks. The report was intended to inform authors, publishers, and teachers and enable them to correct errors, supply omissions, and omit irrelevant material. The textbooks used in the study consisted of 120 elementary (grades 1-6) public…

Presents guidelines for evaluating computer trade books for children. Includes results for 47 books evaluated using the "Yawn index." (HTH)

Reports the results of a study of 12 recently published U.S. history textbooks' content on the Vietnam War. Concludes that, overall, the textbooks of the mid-1980s provide an improved treatment of the war when compared to earlier books. States that texts still lack depth on the topic, making use of supplementary materials as necessary. (GEA)

Criticizes the organization, emphases, scope, and intellectual challenges of basal social studies textbooks widely used in elementary schools. Includes recommendations for improving such textbooks and social studies curricula. (MCG)

Reviews a content analysis which was done on elementary and secondary civics textbooks in New York State. The objective was to determine attitudes conveyed about political authorities, the relationship of citizens to authorities and regimes, and the nature of politics, the nations, and democracy. Results are presented. (Author/DB)

Considers that, since the textbook is the main teaching tool for instructors, typically teachers select a text based on how well it supports their views of and approach to the subject. Examines pre-1970 texts to see how technical writing has been taught over the years. Examines such features as author's background, contents, assumed reader, and…

Reports on how Dutch instructive texts have changed in the course of this century. Gives insight into the kinds of documents studied. Presents investigation results: the disappearance of persuasive passages and of realistic representations of human beings. Gives a detailed sketch of the development of the algorithmic style. (PA)

A review of existing K-8 science curriculum materials, carried out under the National Science Curriculum Project for High-Ability Learners, found that existing basal textbooks fail to meet new science curriculum standards for all students but particularly for high-ability learners. Modular programs and supplementary materials were generally…

Evaluates six U.S. western civilization textbooks' treatment of the Baltic region. Reports that the books devote little or no attention to the region, emphasize larger nations, and ignore Baltic social history. Suggests that social histories may continue to neglect small countries, whereas reaction against "Eurocentrism" may result in…