The study begins with the premise of the critical need of increased understanding of others in our global times. Given the intensive and extensive, and often complicated and controversial relations between the United States and South Korea in its modern history, it is critical for South Korean youth to build a more accurate understanding of their…

The evidence used by historians to demonstrate how Jacksonian democracy has been misunderstood or misinterpreted is discussed. The inequalities of economic conditions and of opportunity which existed in the Jacksonian era are commented on. (Author/RM)

Bias has traditionally pervaded the study of history on the secondary level in both the United States and Russia. The article points out the distorted version of history which is presented to American and Russian students. The following three sources to which the bias is attributed are discussed: ethnocentrism, omission of relevant material, and…

Textbooks treat Afro-American history with a general unevenness, with little attention to Afro-American thoughts and activities. A theme that runs consistently throughout American history is the exclusion of Afro-Americans from the concept of American "people." There should be a two-pronged approach to examining this theme in the classroom. (AM)

Stresses the importance of recognizing bias in written language (often referred to as critical thinking/reading) and suggests activities to help elementary school social studies teachers improve their bias recognition skills. A multiple choice quiz is presented in which teachers are directed to analyze bias in quotations from newspapers and social…

Presents a critical examination of six high school geography textbooks to see how they varied in their treatment of world politics, and comments on the degree of nationalistic bias in each one. Suggestions for teachers are included to help them deal with political concepts and bias in textbooks. (Author/AM)

Argues that the first step in reassessing whether the values brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus are desirable is to examine and dispel the myths surrounding Columbus and his deeds. Includes myths involving the purpose, financing, and manning of the voyage, and Columbus's own beliefs and fate. Suggests sources for locating accurate…

Examines the problem of inadequate coverage of ethnic groups in social studies texts. Claims that the coverage of groups included is often unbalanced. Defines reasons for this failure as including political and economic constraints. (BSR)

Explores the relationship between a major reliance on textbooks, and the problem solving, inquiry oriented approach to social studies curriculum. (JB)

Surveys textbooks to examine how the deposing of the monarchy in Hawaii is treated. Suggests that teachers present three questions: (1) was the United States responsible for the overthrow of the monarchy; (2) how was the overthrow treated in textbooks; and (3) is it correct for the United States to deny responsibility? Argues that textbooks…

Proposes a new approach to labor history that is to study working people rather than labor unions. (ND)

Author opposes separatism and wants the fullest possible integration of women into history. Several teaching approaches to women's history are discussed. Compensatory, contributory, corrective, and feminist history are suggested as temporary substitutes for a future history which will be well integrated and written from a non-sexist point of view.…

Explores the influence of textbooks and teaching practices on the self-concept of Chinese, Japanese, and Jewish children during the periods 1880-1920 and 1966-1976. From 1880-1920, Asians were detested and segregated into separate schools in some states. Jews were also considered unassimilable. During the period 1966-76, most textbooks showed only…

A study evaluated the portrayal of white and non-white ethnic groups in selected textbooks. Results show that writers usually describe ethnic groups in neutral terms. However, some writers, in describing ethnic group interaction with white Americans, associate the ethnic groups with more negative than positive terms. (Author/AV)

An analysis of 11 contemporary secondary U.S. history textbooks showed that the sentences per page devoted to the Black experience represents a substantial increase over more dated textbooks. Not only has the quantity improved, but the range of coverage suggests an improvement in quality as well. (RM)