Examines the type of materials available for area studies courses, finding that in general their contents, drawn from news media reports, are of low intellectual value. Proposes the utilization of data collected and analyzed by specialists and presents a sample unit on the levels of income and socioeconomic status in France. (MES)

Background and instructional materials acquired since the February 1967 supplement are listed in this supplement to the "Bibliography of Materials" issued by the Russian Center for Secondary Schools. The majority of the items are in English, and all are available from the Center on a 3-week loan to secondary school teachers of Russian. Major…

This lesson plan on Romania and Bulgaria could be adapted for various grade levels and ability groups. Topics addressed include cultural diversity, the period of Soviet control in the region and its lasting effects, factors contributing to political instability, the current attempts to move towards a market economy, and traditions and customs…

Designed as a resource for teachers to help high school students understand the new Germany, six background papers and nine lessons provide information on the difficult transition from the Third Reich to defeat and military occupation, on the establishment of two successor states, and on revolution and reunification. The six background papers…

This paper presents a unit for government and economics and one for world history on the dramatic regional changes which have occurred in Central and Eastern Europe since the late 1980s. The units can be taught cohesively covering 2-3 weeks or as modules integrated into relevant themes in the curriculum. The "case studies" approach…

This curriculum unit is intended to serve as a general introduction to the study of the traditions and culture of the vast heartland of the Eurasian land mass called Inner Asia. Objectives are to stimulate student and teacher interest in Inner Asian studies, as well as to encourage students to learn about the historical experience of other…

THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR USE WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PROVIDES A DETAILED COURSE OF STUDY THAT INTERPRETS THE FAR EAST'S HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONCEPTS, PROBLEMS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS. THROUGH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, THIS STUDY IS DIVIDED INTO UNITS ON (1) INDIA AND PAKISTAN, TREATING HUMAN RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENT, THE ECONOMY AND EARLY…

In the United States, educators have had difficulty teaching about the Soviet Union. Students are often ignorant of the historical circumstances that have affected the U.S./Soviet relationship, and they are often miseducated by stereotypes they encounter in popular culture. This curriculum explores the government and economy of the Soviet Union,…

This social studies curriculum integrates the study of geographic, economic, historic, political and social features of nations in the Western Hemisphere with the development of key concepts and skills. While this curriculum focuses on the geographic and economic features of countries in the Western Hemisphere, it gives equal weight to the history…

After three years in power, Soviet leader, Mikhail S. Gorbachev, has emphasized that he intends to carry out a restructuring of the Soviet system in an effort to make the Soviet economy capable of assimilating the opportunities offered by contemporary science, technology and methods of management. Chapter 1, a brief introduction, stresses that…

This guide, part 2 of a two-part publication, contains resource units on life today in China which can be used with 9th-grade students. The materials and activities, gathered by American secondary-school teachers who visited China in 1973, are intended to provide a pattern for an elective course or supplementary material for regular social studies…

Materials for a secondary level, interdisciplinary social studies course on Japan are divided into introductory information, 14 classroom units, and study and evaluation materials. Introductory material includes lists of objectives and skills, an outline of Japanese history, and an explanation of Japan's name and flag. The units cover the…

A study unit on Australia for secondary students is divided into eight sections. Section 1 introduces students to the states, territories, and capitals of the country. Section two, land and people, discusses the size, location, geology, climate, flora and fauna, and population of Australia. Sections 3 and 4 outline Australian history and include…

The curriculum guide for non-western civilization area studies incorporates these major considerations: 1) the teaching of concepts rather than the accumulation of data, focusing on the development of critical thinking; 2) the development of values, skills, and knowledge needed to cope with the pressing social problems of today including:…

The interdisciplinary curriculum on global economic and social development and interdependence traces Western development trends, investigates current issues and processes in development, and offers a development planning exercise. An introductory section serves as a teacher's guide. It discusses the skills developed by the activities, suggests…