Presents results of survey of high school seniors taken in 1968 (N=825), 1972 (N=119), and 1984 (N=200). The survey consisted of 13 widely accepted attitudinal items and 16 demographic variables designed to measure degree of political cynicism and attitudes toward democracy. Concludes that 1984 results show a loss of innocence, increasing…

Sees the 1984 presidential election as an opportunity for teachers to help students explore the responsibilities and possibilities of democratic participation. Helps to develop the personal political vision that is basic to political involvement and maturity through an examination of multiple social and political issues and each candidate's…

Political education focuses on the issues of citizenship, socialism and development, and because this implies a definite stance towards man and society, it can be viewed as moral education in the Tanzanian context. Explores the nature of the political education, its effects, and the problem of indoctrination. (Author)

Describes a ten-day curricular unit with three goals: motivating students to vote, helping students to understand the importance of political parties, and having students identify a variety of effective means for influencing the political process. Incorporates historical and experiential elements key to motivating students to get involved. (DSK)

How the political literacy of an individual may be promoted is a controversial issue. An undeniable fact is that the agencies of socialization structuring political learning have to be understood in their historical context. The didactic discussion in Germany during the second half of the 20th century comprises a whole range of issues which are…

Describes a study which identified concepts and images which Swiss children and youth recognized as representing their country as a whole. Five hundred and sixty, 10-15-year-old-students consistently chose geographic features such as mountains and meadows, democracy, and neutrality to symbolize Switzerland. (AM)

This essay describes the dimensions of political socialization with systematic political education as a major component. Both promote individual acceptance of political norms--particularly where government and school systems are tightly linked. The authors argue that political socialization should promote effective citizenship rather than simply…

Presents study results exploring the potential of a civics curriculum in developing a willingness to acknowledge the civil liberties of unpopular groups. Includes an overview of research on political tolerance and literature focusing on the shortcomings of traditional civics curricula. Argues that adolescence is an ideal period for teaching issues…

This essay investigates the challenge for schools in Romania to educate their students in the civic virtues. Educators have to deal not only with the legacy of Soviet ideologies, but also with the avalanche of messages concerning citizenship that are embedded in the market-driven media that are increasingly being watched by Romanian students.…

The motivation for monitoring public affairs and for taking part responsibly in the civic process depends on a person's "civic identity," defined as a sense of kinship with and responsibility toward others in the community. Currently civic education is the province of social studies teachers, but English and language arts teachers could…

This article is the seventh in a series on good citizenship. To awaken students to their duties, rights, and responsibilities as citizens, a variety of class activities is suggested. Students learn to become good citizens in the school, community, nation, and world. (JL)

Provides an introduction to the global education and textbook theme articles in this issue, giving special attention to the National Council for the Social Studies curriculum guidelines. Reviews literature on international political socialization and textbook content and draws implications for achieving a more positive and accurate global…

The visible signs of patriotism displayed in the United States since the events of September 11, 2001 are at once an expression of pride and a palliative for people's grief and sorrow, an understandable response to a national tragedy. But more important is a kind of less visible patriotism that calls for fidelity to the values and principles for…

A growing number of educational programs seek to promote young people's participation in political and civic affairs. A common strategy for doing so is to provide students with opportunities to make a difference in their communities. Much research demonstrates a strong connection between a person's sense about making a difference efficacy and the…

Assesses the role played by revisionists in development of the social studies curriculum and reviews a movement in which revisionists consistently attempted to promote citizenship education through the problems of democracy course offered in high schools throughout the United States from 1916 to 1970. (Author/DB)