Briefly discusses Alexis de Tocqueville's observation that the United States is a nation largely defined by its civic and social organizations. Contrasts this with the recent assertion that the nation is suffering a decline in social capital. Proposes a combination of character and citizenship education as a possible remedy for this. (MJP)

Presents a communitarian rationale for character education. Communitarians believe that individual liberties depend upon bolstering the foundations of civil society: families, schools, and neighborhoods. Lists four core areas of focus: character education in the schools, building and rebuilding communities, policies to strengthen the family, and…

Presents the National Council for the Social Studies' position paper on character education. Calls for a renewed effort by social studies educators, schools, and communities to teach character and civic virtue. Argues that students must be offered a combination of instruction and guidance on civic virtue to counter increasing indifference. (MJP)

Presents a lesson examining the historical background of the U.S. government's relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans and Japanese aliens during World War II. Asks secondary students to consider both the legal and moral dimensions of the relocation effort and current compensation arguments. Includes handouts and suggestions for role…

Contends that human rights education, particularly in the United States, tends to emphasize civil and political rights. Argues the need to emphasize economic and social rights and the interdependency of human rights. Contends that moral education should open discussion and scholarship so that students will choose their values. (CFR)

Contends that teachers have an essential part to play in the moral and spiritual education of students. Discusses a white paper on moral education issued by the British government. Concludes that there is no conflict between spiritual and moral education and teaching the knowledge and skills necessary for employment. (CFR)

Discusses society in the future. Expresses concern over social problems and misuse by the media of terms relating to diversity and multiculturalism. Lists themes for effective instruction in social studies as integration of topics and meaningful, challenging, active, and value-based learning. Urges that self-esteem, mutual respect, and cooperative…

Advocates teaching computer literacy and ethical behavior in allocation of computers in the schools. Suggests that, if citizens are computer illiterate, technology can threaten a democracy by allowing elite groups to manipulate information. Observes that computer education is available more often to privileged groups that perpetuates the status…

Identifies four major problem areas in current moral education research. Reviews research programs to determine their effectiveness. Identifies the elements of moral psychology. Examines possible alternative pathways of moral development. Relates individual moral development to group morality. Concludes with some broad guidelines for future…

Arranged in four parts, this collection of conference papers addresses selected philosophical and social questions being faced by contemporary educators. Part 1 contains the presidential address, the subject of which is conceptions of the educated person, and a response to that address. Part 2, the general session, contains two papers which…

Case studies of ethical issues based on real events are followed by comments illustrating how people from various ethical traditions and frameworks and from different academic and professional disciplines analyze the issues and work toward a resolution of the conflict posed. The cases are intended to help the public and professional persons pursue…

A project at Alverno College, a Catholic liberal arts college for women, that focuses on the way liberal education can enhance the undergraduate student's growth in ethical perception, moral reasoning, and related abilities, is described. Attention is directed to how commitment to this project began 10 years ago and to general philosophic and…

This book reports on a replication of the 1963 National Opinion Research Center study of the effectiveness of the value-oriented education carried out in the Roman Catholic schools in the United States. It is part of a growing body of social change research being done by American sociologists. In Part I, the first five chapters, the context for…

Teaching about moral issues is discussed in this transcript of "Options in Education," an electronic weekly magazine. Directed toward educators and students, the program covers news, features, policy, and people in the field of education and is available for broadcasting to member stations of National Public Radio. Seventeen montages…

Noting that we are raising our children in a morally ambiguous world and we have to do more than just discipline them and hope for the best, this book is a manual for raising children who are emotionally and intellectually capable and confident, by means of play activities that imbue a sense of right and wrong. Each chapter of the manual begins…