Controversy surrounds the recently released voluntary national standards for U.S. history and world history. At the center of the debate is the issue of how history should be portrayed. Directions for ordering copies of the history standards and sample passages from the standards guidebooks are provided in sidebars to the article. (MLF)

Describes the evolution of a course concerning the role of Spain in the Americas. Suggests that Spain has had a strong influence on the region. Explains that students participated unexpectedly well within the course's discussion seminar format. Includes an appendix setting out assigned readings and a course syllabus. (SG)

The history teacher frequently struggles to find classroom sources that are not only insightful, but also challenge students to be interpretative and imaginative about the past. As an instructional tool, popular culture can do all of these while reflecting the cultural impulses emanating from a particular country or region. To this end, the…

An alternative to the survey approach for teaching history is the team-taught humanities course, that has enjoyed considerable success at Illinois State University, in which history is integrated with art, music, and literature. (Author/ND)

Seven college professors give personal views about why courses in Western civilization and national history are declining in popularity. Because students seem to be oriented toward the present and away from foreign affairs, history courses must be relevant to students' lives in order to be of interest. (AV)

Underscores the necessity of teaching United States history in a strongly international context, rather than perpetuating "historical provincialism." Advocates an approach that compares the American experience with that of other countries, highlighting both similarities and differences rather than the "unique and indigenous" nature of the forces…

The history department at Fordham University in 1968 inaugurated a one semester course stressing a few historical areas in depth, deemphasizing breadth of knowledge and emphasizing historical methodology and historiography. (Editor)

The writer believes that the history professor's major objectives should be to provide the student with leads to more leads in the study of history to introduce himself to the world of research methodology and historiography, and to teach him to teach himself. (Author)

Compares basic themes in women's history and the Western civilization survey course and concludes that women's studies do not assimilate comfortably because women are not a part of the heroic epics upon which European history is based. (CK)

Discusses the use of novels in a Latin American history course. Provides a theoretical basis for the course. Outlines course format, class assignments, and reading lists. Points out the value of the novel to students in understanding the history of Latin America. (RW)

Critiques Diane Ravitch's suggestions for the revival of history in the school curriculum. Characterizes her arguments as conservative and compares her to the anti-progressives of the 1950s. Calls for less emphasis on traditional history and discusses alternative conceptions of history. Examines the California History Social Science Framework. (KO)

Until recently, schools in Poland have done little to discourage anti-Semitism and have not taught about the Holocaust nor explained why there are virtually no Jews in Poland. Curriculum modifications in the next school year will introduce the subject at the elementary-school level. (SLD)

An introductory history curriculum is described which is topical and question oriented, designed to encourage students to evaluate sweeping social changes instead of a strict chronology of events. A bibliography of recommended texts is included. (NHM)

This program in history instruction has provided a cooperative attitude between faculties of the university and the community college, and is having a positive effect on the reshaping of curriculum and teaching methods as well. (Editor/RK)