A useful way of organizing global history survey courses for undergraduate students is to emphasize the theme of long-distance trade across cultural or civilizational frontiers. Three analytic models accentuate the importance of long-distance trade: (1) the typology of exchange by Karl Polanyi; (2) the concept of the trade diaspora as defined by…

This series of self-contained lessons in land use features activities that can be used with any high school world history, global education, or European history social studies classes. The fifteen lessons included are : (1) Rome's Landed Estates; (2) The Gracchian Revolution; (3) The Feudal Land System; (4) The Domesday Book; (5) Mercantilism; (6)…

These proceedings of a congressional hearing express the sense of Congress that public schools should be encouraged to include a study of the holocaust in the history curricula. Included are texts of statements by: Sala Burton, member of the California Congressional delegation; Carol Rittner, producer of a film, "The Courage to Care,"…

Describes a history course on the college level that uses biographies to help students connect important political leaders, such as Hitler and Machiavelli, to the time and place that shaped their actions. Reports on the effectiveness of the class. (RKM)

Discusses problems inherent in planning the curriculum focus and goals of a world history course. Examines major options, including recent studies prepared by the College Board. Offers 17 specific goals for a world history course, from the definition of historical evidence to the role of science and technology throughout history. Concludes that…

Reviews the objectives of the 21-member intergovernmental Council of Europe and its sub-group, the Council for Cultural Cooperation. Explains the prevailing practices and desired outcomes of European history as it is taught in the member countries. (JDH)

Intended to help college level history teachers choose the texts most appropriate to their teaching methods and student bodies, this article critiques Western and world civilization textbooks. (RM)

As a counter to Europocentric views, a comparative approach should be used to study the history of European civilization in the premodern period. A framework for considering European history in comparison to that of three other civilizations is presented. (RM)

How students in the primary, middle, and secondary grades can be made aware of architectural developments is discussed, specific objectives for studying a historic site are identified, and some structures important in historic studies are listed. (RM)

Many African history themes can be integrated into a world history course to introduce students to the unique history of Africa and to provide new perspectives from which to view Western and Asian history. Themes are suggested, and appropriate sources of information are discussed. (RM)

UCLA has issued world history standards calling for less memorization and more historical thinking skills. The standards are neither rigid nor doctrinaire, but they have been criticized for promoting a national curriculum, stressing 20th-century events, downplaying traditional U.S. heroes, exhibiting an anti-Western bias, confusing suggestions…

Principal theme in world history should be universality of basic human experience. This approach values differing forms of human expression without associating abstract concepts (such as faith, reason, or creativity) to one specific period of history in one particular part of the world. Scholarship should remain the highest priority, and past…

Provides a conceptual framework for the definition of critical thinking terms. Describes the results of an experimental study designed to improve high school students' abilities to clearly state and adequately defend generalizations. Finds that results suggest a useful conceptual framework and instructional format for teaching aspects of critical…

Discusses how stories can be used to "teach" history and science. Provides many examples of how this is done in the author's Montessori classroom. Explains the ramifications of using stories in classrooms and how it inspires children to research a topic in greater depth. (JS)

Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery traveled westward from 1803 to 1806; therefore, the bicentennial of the expedition is being celebrated from 2003 until 2006. Students and teachers celebrating the bicentennial and Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase in 1803 can use social studies classes to help them connect with their community and to reach a…