Difficult histories expose learners to historical suffering and victimization that constitute a collective trauma. The difficulty stems from the strong emotional reactions or ethical responses learners may evince, undermining their trust in security and morality of this world. However, difficult histories may also expose learners to instances in…

The author asserts that it is time for social studies teachers to engage students in a review of the rift between historical reality and mythology about Viet Nam, especially in light of recent comparisons that many have made between the Viet Nam War and the current situation in Iraq. Few teachers dealt with Viet Nam at the time of the war, and…

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)

Traces the development of "The Lessons of the Vietnam War," a set of units which cover legal, cultural, and historical questions of the war in greater depth than do survey textbooks. Examples of the 12 topics are "Introduction to Vietnam: Land, Culture, and History" and "Taking Sides: The War at Home." (GEA)

States that because of the lack of depth in history texts, the oral history of Vietnam veterans is a valuable teaching alternative. Provides details for preparing students and veterans for interviews. Concludes that this method helps students understand complex issues by placing them in the middle of historical inquiry. (GEA)

Assesses the progress and the challenges that education must meet in identifying world policy for proliferation management. Gives a historical perspective on attempts to control proliferation. Includes maps, charts, a historical chronology of these efforts, and a list of proliferation management issues. (NL)

Presents a section of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's, "Atoms for Peace," 1953 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Suggests using the document for classroom discussions of nuclear proliferation, emphasizing that using primary sources develops research skills, activates classroom discussions, citizenship, and creative…

Asserts that the United Nations, though often restricted by Cold War events, has had a resurgence as the hope for a true global forum for the world's pressing issues. Maintains that the need to teach about peacekeeping and model conflict resolution skills is crucial in today's world. (CFR)

Reports on the views of 73 secondary school Japanese students toward the United Nations. Finds that most tend to think of the UN as relevant to conflicts. Describes how the hunger issue was used in an English-as-a-Second-Language class to teach about the United Nations. (CFR)

Explores the issue of nuclear proliferation, noting that the countries with nuclear capability now include Israel, South Africa, India, and Pakistan. Describes the role and problems of the United States in halting nuclearization. Supplies charts, maps, and information concerning the state of nuclear capability in each country. (NL)

Presents a classroom activity designed to involve students in critical thinking and values inquiry concerning the horizontal nuclear proliferation. Provides a set of global values, explaining the conflict between them and nuclear proliferation. Uses indicators, hypothesis development, and testing. Provides sources for material evidence to use in…

Using Argentina as a sample case study, presents a classroom unit designed to explain the implications for world peace of nuclear weapons development. Employs a policy analysis model to make an indepth examination of the values underlying all government policy decisions. Includes unit topics and procedures for the exercise. (NL)

Recommends that the study of global issues be grounded in the study of war and peace, and urges teaching students that citizens can play an active part in public policy change. Provides nine questions as a basis for an instructional unit and includes a chronology chart and nuclear history of the five major nuclear powers. (NL)

Provides learning activities concerning the horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. Includes step-by-step directions for four activities: (1) the life cycle of nuclear weapons; (2) nuclear nonproliferation: pros and cons; (3) the nuclear power/nuclear weapons connection; and (4) managing nuclear proliferation. (NL)

Explains problems enforcing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968. Provides factual charts and details concerning the production of nuclear energy and arms, the processing and disposal of waste products, and outlines the nuclear fuel cycle. Discusses safeguards, the risk of nuclear terrorism, and ways to deal with these problems. (NL)