This interdisciplinary course is designed for senior year high school students in social studies and/or science. Its main thrust is the investigation of human values as they relate to the environment, although rooted in the natural sciences as a means of understanding the complexities inherent in the environment. Use is made of the case study…

A large-scale study of the relationship between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism was made to evaluate the effects of an anthropology curriculum on students' levels of ethnocentrism. Its hypothesis is that ethnocentrism is modified by studying anthropology and, to a lesser extent, other social sciences. The design, execution, and analysis of…

This study has provided recommendations for introducing a new curricular area into a school system, that of teaching about mass media in society. The impetus comes from the growing role mass media play in the lives of all Americans. By surveying the 50 states, the writer discovered that teaching about mass media through courses and units occurred…

Value conflicts are a basic part of social studies instruction; however, the inclusion of these conflicts in social education presents several obstacles: 1) inadequate teacher preparation; 2) stultifying student teaching situations; 3) censor-ridden communities and fearful school administrations; 4) conforming teachers; and, 5) a lack of knowledge…

This book provides a framework for examining violence as a social issue in contemporary society. Discussion is limited to violence as it occurs in the United States. The book can be used as a teacher resource or a secondary-level reader on violence, giving an historical background and a discussion of violence as a social phenomenon. The framework…

In this interview social scientist and professor, Seymour Martin Lipset discusses those aspects of U.S. culture and character that make it unique. Considers a broad range of influences and phenomena, including divine providence, social stratification, the absence of radicalism, and shifting ideological positions. (MJP)

Explores particular characteristics that better secondary schools might possess. The exploration is based on five conditions of better schools, all of which support teachers and students in developing effective schools. The author moves the responsibility for school reform from the school to the life and behaviors of the community in which the…

Describes a lesson plan that examines the needs and benefits of moral behavior standards that extend beyond the strictly "legal." Procedures include a guided discussion concerning legal but reprehensible actions (participating in destructive gossip). Informative handouts precede moving the discussion to a more global perspective. (MJP)

Reports on a study that examined the effects of the "Facing History and Ourselves" program on moral development and psychological functioning. Asserts that this study adds to the literature suggesting that human rights education positively affects students' moral development. (CFR)

Investigates the reactions of 295 Nigerian secondary school students aged 14 to over 18 years to some indigenous moral values through a Likert-type opinion survey. Regardless of age, Nigerian adolescents are generally supportive of traditional moral values such as respect for and obedience to parents and elders. (SLD)

The booklet is part of a grade 10-12 social studies series produced for bilingual education. The series consists of six major thematic modules, with four to five booklets in each. The interdisciplinary modules are based on major ideas and designed to help students understand some major human problems and make sound, responsive decisions to improve…

Experiential education, service learning in particular, offers one pedagogy for teaching democracy. This paper presents a rationale for teaching democracy through service learning and provides general and specific guidelines for accomplishing the goal. Models of service learning are described that teachers can incorporate into classroom…

This report discusses what should be taught in history and social sciences courses, and how the material should be taught. Differing views of educational leaders as well as results of recent research and studies are summarized. The following propositions are offered as stimulators of inquiry and as tentative guides to practice: (1) the greatest…

Able 11th- and 12th-grade students can enjoy the imagery, direct language, and indirect thought of T. S. Eliot. Eliot's treatment of the apathetic society and the isolated individual, his concern for spirituality over sensuality, and his plea for collective responsibility for evil are themes that can be traced in his major works through…

This paper develops a basic conceptual framework of values and the valuing process. Section 1, Values and Value Claims, discusses the four different types of value claims (personal, market, real, and implicit) and their relationships. The second section considers the process of rational evaluation as a method of arriving at and supporting value…