Based on audience research in European countries, this article suggests that television miniseries "Holocaust" was not successful in teaching about the fate of Jews in Germany during World War II. Major problems with the series include that it personalized problems and gave no insight into economic and political forces at work during the…

Surveys changes in education in Nigeria after independence. Major changes involve objectives--students are educated now to become citizens of a young and growing country rather than individuals colonized by a nation with a different culture and religion. Emphasis is placed on social studies, particularly citizenship education. (Author/DB)

Among 734 Israeli high school students, political involvement, sense of political efficacy, and support of freedom of speech were more strongly related to students' political socialization experiences in school than to their social and ethnic backgrounds or academic/vocational school placement. Schooling effects were stronger for males than…

Traditionally, civic education has been introduced at the eighth grade level. Research indicates that youngsters begin learning political information and attitudes much earlier. With that in mind, this publication is designed around concepts that can be developed throughout the primary and intermediate grades. Elementary students can begin to…

This issue presents criteria for new approaches to citizenship education in elementary schools. New approaches are illustrated with examples from Citizenship Decision-Making: Instructional Materials for Grades 4,5,6 developed at the Mershon Center of Ohio State University. This newsletter is published by the Division of Educational Affairs,…

The contradictions of political education in East European socialist countries based on the Hungarian experience are explored in this paper. Divided into three parts, the first part gives a brief sketch of institutionalized political education, while the second concerns the crisis of Hungary's political education emerging in the 1980s. In the…

To preserve and protect the civic values and principles of the Constitution, educators must develop in students a deeper understanding of and a commitment to these values. To do this, educators should confront students with cases in history and current events involving fundamental paradoxes of U.S. constitutional government. Students should be…

The purpose of this paper is to examine different facets of trust in the political system or civic realm and how they are correlated to the expected civic or political engagement of young people. The nature and effects of trust in social and political institutions have been studied in adults, distinguishing between various types of trust (in…

Examines how the section on values in the 1981 "California History/Social Science Framework" points the way and direction for educating students to become good citizens. The author discusses 10 basic ideas or value-oriented claims that he thinks could be used as an intellectual framework to guide the designing of civic education…

Discusses the new emphasis of the section on values in the 1981 "California History/Social Science Framework." The development of a personal value system and the study, understanding, and appreciation of the values of others is seen as the basis of American citizenship. (AM)

Points out ways in which concepts from the discipline of political science can be useful in teaching American government and history. Emphasis is placed on helping students understand basic political action choices and decision-making strategies through group work in the social studies classroom. (DB)

Maintaining that social studies classes should teach students to participate and acquire a feeling of political efficacy, the article suggests ways of introducing social participation into the formal curriculum. Ways of using students groups to promote participation are outlined. (DB)

Critically examines the political socialization research over the past 30 years as to method, sample, size, and results. Reassesses studies that have been most cited and those that have been ignored. Raises questions about political socialization that have not been addressed or have been inadequately addressed. (KO)

Discusses social studies' evolution as a discipline from its 1890s origins through the twentieth century. Examines the objectives of historians, sociologists, and "super patriots" (proponents of the Americanism movement) in advancing citizenship training. Concludes that the failure to achieve some of the original goals of social studies…

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that oral literature, which is an aspect of the oral tradition, has functioned historically as a vital medium of moral and civic education in non-literate societies the world over. Through the ages, oral literature has performed this function by presenting its various genres as forms of entertainment…