Because of the unpopularity of the inquiry method, most new government texts are of the straight narrative type. Many educators believe that civics curriculum materials are subject to censorship by special interest groups. Regarding goal achievement, many believe civic education has not trained students to accept their civic responsibilities. (RM)

Argues that changes in citizenship education during the progressive era (emphasizing community and the common welfare rather than individual rights) grew out of support for a strong, activist central government. Questions earlier assumptions that the change occurred in reaction to immigration. Discusses competing conceptions of citizenship and…

This paper outlines a new way of defining the scope and domain of citizen education within the social studies curriculum. It is intended to help educators better attain their particular goals and expand their vision of citizenship education. The paper is divided into three parts. Part I emphasizes that the narrow, traditional definition of the…

The guide presents learning activities and teaching methods relating to law and citizenship education for grades K-8. The objective is to aid the teacher in preparing students for citizenship responsibilities. The document treats five basic topics, liberty, justice, equality, property, and power, and is designed for adaptation into existing…

This paper evaluates how civic education in the United States currently is impacted by the competing theories of individualism ("liberalism") and communitarianism. Each theory's intellectual history and meaning is explained briefly. The implications of the "debate between the defenders of liberalism and their communitarian critics…

Citizenship is defined as an informed and critical orientation that individuals bring to the examination of public affairs, an orientation that may or may not be supportive of established authority or prevailing views. It is argued that only through an interdisciplinary approach to the social studies curriculum can students properly be helped to…

To help school boards respond to increasing concerns over citizenship education, the authors discuss the factors behind the current interest in citizenship education, different approaches to and programs for citizenship education, and steps toward mounting a citizenship education program. Among the factors identified as causing concern with…

The paper presents a rationale, major concepts, and basic vocabulary related to citizenship education. The aim of the document is to aid elementary and secondary school classroom teachers as they develop and implement citizen education programs. The paper is presented in five major sections. Section I explains the purpose of the paper. Section II…

Offers information useful to educators interested in implementing community-service programs. Provides estimates of students' participation in community service in U. S. high schools; describes the nature of the programs and students' experiences; and reports data which illustrate that the potential for influencing civic responsibility may not yet…

Presents an interview by National Endowment for the Humanities chairman, Sheldon Hackney, with historian John Higham on multiculturalism and national identity. Contends that the centrifugal forces of national, ethnic, and religious diversity need countervailing forces to hold the nation together. (CFR)

Contends that citizenship and democracy are two of the most overused words in social studies classrooms. Maintains that schools must walk a tightrope between those fostering patriotic attitudes and those fostering critical-mindedness and protest. Includes four suggestions for critical thinking in social studies. (CFR)

Delineates some of the general objectives and goals of citizenship-education programs being proposed throughout Canada. These offer an ongoing dynamic program of education in history, government, and ethics, with the aim of instilling in youth a willingness to think about the problems facing our society. (MJP)

In this paper the National Assessment of citizenship's objectives, procedures, exercises, and findings are considered as a source of implications for further research in the area of social studies. First, the methodology of National Assessment can be used as a model for developing objectives, and for devising exercises to measure attainment of…

Social studies objectives for the 1971-1972 National Assessment and citizenship objectives for the 1969-1970 and 1974-1975 Assessments are outlined. (KM)