Describes, interprets, and evaluates one secondary social-studies teacher's efforts to engage students in learning about self, others, and the world. Identifies several schooling regularities (classroom environment, student expectations, teaching load, and professional isolation) complicating teachers' efforts. Illustrates how innovative…

Presents three brief articles recalling US teachers' experiences conducting civic education workshops in Bosnia. Pat Feichter writes "Would I Return? In a Heartbeat." Gail Huschle examines "Beauty in the Midst of Devastation." Mary Bristol considers "Making Connections between Cultures." (MJP)

Comments on Kenneth Boulding's address to the 1991 Social Science Education Consortium Conference. Compares Boulding's approach to knowledge to the scientific community's correction of errors. Suggests that social studies might do better for the future by focusing on multicultural understanding with the realization that all people share many of…

Presents a history lesson based on the deed of presentation for the Statue of Liberty. Discusses the conception and history of the statue and its presentation to the United States as a gift from the people of France. Includes a copy of the document, topics for class discussion, and research, writing, and design activities. (DK)

Discusses criticisms of global education by Gregg L. Cunningham in a report for Thomas G. Tancredo, and the National Council for the Social Studies' response to the report. Contends that an ethnocentric curriculum restricts students ability to think critically. Distinguishes between cultural relativism and moral relativism. (DB)

Reports on the importance of cultural diversity and global interdependence as a foundation for a new civic culture. Argues that social studies educators must resist efforts to fragment the field and instead support the concept of an integrated social studies curriculum. (CFR)

Highlights the Cable News Network's (CNN) documentary series "The Cold War." Interviews executive producer Jeremy Issacs and producer Martin Smith about the series and its usefulness for educators. Includes a broadcast schedule for the 24 episodes. Notes that the series is endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies. (DSK)

Notes the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Spanish-American War and recommends an interdisciplinary study of that conflict. Discusses various aspects of the war (yellow journalism, imperialism, military campaigns) that could be integrated into the study of history, government, and literature. Includes a list of comparison topics and learning…

Presents a look at the local culture of Tampa, Florida at the turn of the century and how it responded to a massive influx of troops waiting for action during the Spanish-American War. At that time, Tampa was a multiethnic city that included many Cuban-, Spanish-, and African-Americans. (MJP)

This curriculum guide is designed to promote excellence in the lives of students while empowering them to learn, appreciate, and practice the values inherent in the Olympic Movement and to recognize the learning opportunity of the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games. The program seeks to integrate academic content from across the disciplines…

This program explores the dangers of landmines as "weapons of mass destruction in slow motion." These hidden killers have been called the "perfect soldier"--never sleeping and never missing--yet kill thousands of people each year, many innocent civilians. The study guide offers questions to use before viewing the video,…

This booklet analyzes the changes that have occurred in Japan in the postwar period. The book is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1, "Revolutionary Change: American Occupation, 1945-52," focuses on the dramatic changes brought by Occupation forces. Chapter 2, "Evolutionary Change: Japan's Democracy from the Occupation through the…

This five-part unit, intended for secondary students, uses an activity-oriented approach in order to involve students in the workings of international trade. Part 1 introduces students to basic terms. Part 2 explores what would be missing from U.S. lifestyle if there were no international trade. Part 3 introduces students to the reasons why trade…

This unit is designed to help high schools students to explore the relationship between U.S. foreign policy and the global environment. At the core of the unit is a framework of four distinct options that allows students to consider a range of alternatives for U.S. policy toward global environmental problems. Using this framework, students are…

With its increasing economic importance throughout the world, Japan has the potential to expand its political influence as well. Generally, however, Japan has been reluctant to use its growing power to influence political affairs both in Asia and in the rest of the world. This digest surveys the factors affecting Japan's role in world affairs, and…