In this article, the author contends that the vast majority of American historians no longer regard American culture--whether high culture or mainstream popular culture--as an essential area of study. The much-vaunted culture turn in the humanities has run its course in one of the first disciplines it influenced. Indeed, most of the books today…

This calendar of lessons conforms to the New York State syllabus for grades 7-8, United States and New York History, which was officially implemented throughout the state in September 1987. It is a guide to the objectives of the state social studies program, not a prescription for day-to-day lesson plans. United States and New York State History…

Presents the reader with three interpretations of the historical significance of the urban political boss. Identifies one group which condemns the practitioners of machine politics, another which emphasizes the function of bossism, and that group whose members point out the complex relationships involved in the operation of city government. (KO)

The paper describes and evaluates the development of materials produced by the Organization of American Historians' (OAH) project entitled "Restoring Women to History." Contributors to the OAH project faced several choices in developing guidelines for incorporating women's history into the basic American survey at the college level. The guide's…

Participants in an undergraduate oral history project interview Vietnam veterans in their locality as primary source material for a course in Southeast Asian history. (DE)

A survey conducted by the Council for Excellence in Government and The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) reveals unprecedented information about the content and significance of civics and social studies classes today. Overall, the curriculum and message of history and social studies classes appear to be more…

Discusses the content of a course on the genre of western films that was utilized as a film study and a U.S. cultural history credit. Describes in detail the film, "Winchester '73," and addresses other films utilized in the course. States that the course also focuses on the development of the western genre. (CMK)

Presents a course entitled "Growing Up in America: Past, Present, Future" that focuses on children's experiences of growing up in different social settings, the transformations of growing up from the early modern era to the present, and the distinctions between the norms and actual patterns of children's experiences. Includes the course syllabus.…

In terms of teaching about the American Revolution, this article surveys strengths and weaknesses of representative, frequently used high school history books. It suggests how the most common weaknesses can be corrected. (Author/AV)

Contends that, during the past generation, a new social history that concerns itself with the lives of ordinary people has changed history research and teaching. Describes an eight-unit college course in the history of United States sports. Includes a selected bibliography of books for students and teachers. (CFR)

Maintains that hundreds of books are being published to commemorate the end of World War II. Asserts that the books will change certain thinking about the world of the 1930s and 1940s and the ways to teach about the war. Provides a bibliographic essay of some of the new books, particularly those that incorporate oral history. (CFR)

Asserts that most textbooks and curriculum guides continue to ignore what most social studies acknowledge: U.S. history cannot be taught properly without frequent discussion of religious topics and issues. Discusses topics and recommends resources for including the teaching about religion in U.S. history. (CFR)

Students learn little about some aspects of U.S. history, such as the history of science, technology, art, religion, and everyday life. What they most often learn about are the "big events" of political and military history. This document seeks to address that problem through its 30 lessons. The first two lessons, "There's an Old Trunk in My…

The role of working women in American labor history from colonial times to the present is the topic of this learning module. Intended predominantly as a course outline, the module can also be used to supplement courses in social, labor, or American history. Information is presented on economic and political influences, employment of women,…

Maintains that an effective way to increase student interest in the sociology of religion is to have them engage their own denominational traditions. Asserts that, for this approach to work, the instructor must be equally engaged, equally accountable, and equally vulnerable. (CFR)