This resource guide was prepared to provide government and political science teachers with information on recent trends and developments in political science, sources of classroom materials, and a listing of professional references. It is hoped that the guide will be helpful to social studies supervisors, librarians, political science educators…

Reviews the nature of fascism as it arose in Europe between World Wars I and II. Examines the nature of 'proto-fascist' trends in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, and offers some tentative conclusions as to why the trend failed to achieve greater strength. (JDH)

Describes and assesses the contributions of Marxist political theorist Antonio Gramsci to developing a meaningful theory relating political education to equality. Identifies Gramsci's major contribution as the substitution of the notion of an ambiguous common sense for false consciousness. (Author/DB)

Reviews a content analysis which was done on elementary and secondary civics textbooks in New York State. The objective was to determine attitudes conveyed about political authorities, the relationship of citizens to authorities and regimes, and the nature of politics, the nations, and democracy. Results are presented. (Author/DB)

This study randomly sampled the students of three universities to determine whether or not enrollment in a specific academic discipline affected students' political attitudes, particularly their trust in government. Results show that for each college year there was an increased gap between the trust levels of students majoring in different…

Presents results of survey of high school seniors taken in 1968 (N=825), 1972 (N=119), and 1984 (N=200). The survey consisted of 13 widely accepted attitudinal items and 16 demographic variables designed to measure degree of political cynicism and attitudes toward democracy. Concludes that 1984 results show a loss of innocence, increasing…

Viewing all students as potential voters, the author asserts the need for including political education in school curricula and suggests the viability, as well as form, of its inclusion. (JH)

Project 18 is a course developed to encourage student involvement in the political system. It attempts to teach the importance of an active, concerned citizenry for the democratic process. (Author)

The Woodbury materials center around a mock election in a hypothetical community. Students are given background data of the sort astute and active political campaign personnel would ferret out. A statistical outcome rpovides the students a means of evaluating the effectiveness of their strategy as the game progresses. (JB)

Discusses using popular detective and espionage fiction in courses related to area politics, international relations, political terrorism, socialization, and bureaucratic politics. Suggests several novels and ways in which they may be integrated into courses. (KC)

Describes the development and assessment of evaluation instruments designed to test student political-citizenship knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The tests are a part of the Improving Citizenship Education Project in Fulton County, Georgia. (Author/CK)

Research exploring political awareness and attitudes toward the structure of political and social authority in the United States among elementary school students is provided. (DE)

Describes and evaluates an introductory course in American government at the college level which encourages students to perceive political processes as instruments of personal choice. Findings indicate that dramatic increases in students' political involvement result from course participation. (Author/DB)