This paper discusses bias against southern and eastern European ethnic groups as it appears in current elementary school textbooks, popular fiction, newspapers, television, and movies. Anti-ethnic sentiment expressed by nineteenth and twentieth century politicians is also mentioned. It is held that bias and stereotypes in the media perpetuate and…

Reviews research findings on ethnic bias and stereotyping in textbooks and discusses the ways in which descriptions of ethnic diversity in Canada are being improved. The author discusses new government educational policies which call for textbook changes and outlines basic guidelines for establishing standards for textbook portrayal of cultural…

Narrow stereotypic perceptions of and prejudice toward the Chinese have been so pervasive and tenable that Americans of Chinese ancestry do not perceive themselves with a meaningful identity; examination of American social studies textbooks shows that involvement of Asians in American history is barely mentioned or neglected completely. (Author/JM)

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…

The paper discusses a study undertaken to evaluate how Jews and Jewish history are treated in three textbooks used in public high schools in Dallas. It also presents findings from the study, and recommends activities and supplementary materials which give a more realistic and comprehensive picture of Jewish history. Major objectives were to…

The status of the North American Indian in most history and social studies textbooks has not substantially changed in the last 20 years. The Indian continues to be portrayed in extreme, simplistic, stereotypical roles--on the one hand noble, peaceful, friendly, and helpful and on the other hand fierce and warlike. (JHZ)

Savage, blood-thirsty, drunk, monosyllabic, naked, and primitive are the stereotypes of Native Americans in textbooks. These stereotypes are so pervasive that they tend to be accepted uncritically by the rest of society. The evidence suggests that many textbooks are biased and, in a large number of cases, outright racist. The concept of…

In summer 1981, at the request of Alberta Education, an evaluation study was undertaken of all learning resources presently listed in "Alberta Social Studies Learning Resources for Elementary Schools" and "Alberta Social Studies Learning Resources for Secondary Schools," including recommended and required resources, as well as…

The paper examines the nature of current curriculum and resource materials related to Aboriginal studies, and reviews the curriculum materials "The Aboriginal Australian in North-Eastern Arnhem Land" which were trialled with Year 8 and Year 9 classes during 1980 in four Queensland State High Schools - Kingston, Mackay North, Murgon, and Pimlico.…

This report of a study, undertaken at the request of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, details: 1) precedents and historical backgrounds in textbook analysis; 2) the methodology of the present study; and, 3) recommendations based on the findings. Groups selected for study were: Jews, immigrants, Moslems, Negroes, and American Indians. The…

In summer 1982, at the request of Alberta Education, an evaluation study was undertaken of all learning resources presently listed in their publications "Alberta Social Studies Learning Resources for Elementary Schools" and "Alberta Social Studies Learning Resources for Secondary Schools, 1980/81," including recommended and…

Presents two lessons designed to counter textbook images of minorities merely as victims, by introducing high school students to two federal court cases involving Asian immigrants' efforts to guarantee their rights. Includes lesson objectives, background on lesson organization, procedural outline, primary documents necessary for each lesson, and…

This first issue of a bimonthly newsletter that contains articles relevant to teaching about Chinese Americans at the secondary level is announced on a one time basis. The Association of Chinese Teachers (TACT) has received a grant for 1976-77 to develop secondary-level curriculum materials. This publication is one product of that effort. Other…

Portrayal of racial minorities in textbooks is discussed and the practice of textbook publishers in their treatment of the roles of minorities during the 1960s to the present is traced. America transmits the dominant ideals and values of its culture to students through textbooks. Until the 1960s, racial minorities were generally ignored by writers…

This volume is the second of a two-volume series which surveys the extent to which sex, race, and class bias can be found in commonly used elementary-level instructional materials in Manitoba, Canada. Analysis of materials used in grades four through six indicates that the negative biases present in the kindergarten through grade three materials…