Within the United States, education has long been valued as a means of fostering the growth and development of each person in order to realize the democratic ideals of freedom, equality, non-discrimination, and respect for the rights of all. In an increasingly globalized world and within the United States itself, this growth and development must…

At the heart of social studies education is the notion that social studies teachers teach core civic values that educate citizens and perpetuate democracy. The author of this article asserts that as the democratic system continues to evolve, technology is playing a greater role in how people learn and communicate. It makes sense, then, that social…

The fact that curriculum content represents interpretations and values linked to certain groups rather gives it a potential for enhancing interests and of being a political tool. General questions to help students see that issues represent conflicting value positions held by interest groups are included. (RM)

Contains six responses to two questions concerning high school book censorship and the application of dominant community values to the selection of instructional materials in public education. (AM)

"Ivy-clad towers" in academia still exist today and always, they require their students to spend considerable time in community service to learn about social justice. The poor almost seem to exist so that academics can study them or so that university students can elevate their own consciousness by serving them for a short period. As…

Certain fundamental perspectives on social issues have become conventions in the way society is represented in school curricula, distorting the kind of social understanding needed by young people. Among these distorting conventions are functionalism, determinism, and individualism. These approaches to social education are analyzed; alternative…

Discusses social factors causing the creationist controversy in public education. The controversy reflects public frustration with the lack of religious frameworks in education. Social studies education should help students to understand religiously-oriented world views and other ways people make their lives meaningful. Journal available from P.O.…

Examines ethics in contemporary U.S. society. Argues that ethics is not merely what's enforceable, expedient, or excusable. Defines ethics as the moral strength to do what one knows is right, and not to do what one knows is wrong. Contends people cannot isolate the consequences of choosing their own ethical course. (DB)

Notes deficiencies of the often-used claim that social studies education ought to promote justice. Explores three conceptions of justice and concludes by examining the paradox that these three conceptions reveal between justice considered as a psychological state of individuals and justice conceived as an expression of the way a society is…

The study of architecture in the junior high can involve a manifold level of skills, including critical thinking and valuing. A taxonomy of skills and skill levels upon which questions concerning buildings of our past can be built is presented. (RM)

Argues that middle school social studies must devote attention to both cognitive and affective goals. Provides a list of eight purposes and seven teaching strategies for middle school social studies. (JDH)

Proposes a definition of a culturally pluralistic democratic society and suggests that there can be no final reconciliation of ethnic identification and melting-pot pressures. Examines the role public education must play to enhance ethnic identity while promoting societal cohesion. (JDH)

States that social studies education must teach caring as a socialization skill in order to equip students for a lifetime of good personal mental health, and to enable them to make a more meaningful contribution to the solution of national and world-wide problems. (GEA)

Using examples from Germany, the USSR, and the United States, this article explores the inconsistency of nationalism and chauvinist pride with the commonality of human nature as represented in the values, convictions, creeds, morals, and ethics of the people in these countries. (JDH)

Examines the conflict between the "politically correct" movement and educational "traditionalists." Suggests that the "politically correct" view seeks to purge sexism, racism, and economic classism, whereas traditionalists desire to inject values into education. Identifies the one-sidedness of each position. Argues…