Presents a syllabus for an undergraduate U.S. government course that emphasizes theoretical foundations, institutions, governmental authority, national issues, and the making of public policy. Discusses the various methodologies for the course including traditional lecture-discussion, films, simulations, and readings. Describes in-class…

Asserts that the representative form of government and the public schools in the United States are not supportive of democracy. Argues that the democratic features of representative government envisioned by the writers of the Constitution were undermined by the growth of the nation's population. Recommends some political and educational…

This paper emphasizes the relationships between middle school science, social studies, and service learning, showing how service learning supports many national science and social studies content standards. Positive results from research on the National Science Foundation service learning project are included. (SM)

Reviews two CD-ROMS and one computer game: "Explore Yellowstone," science activities on CD to earn badges toward becoming a ranger; "Oval Office: Challenge of the Presidency," in which students role play presidential responsibilities such as proposing budgets; and "Strategy Games of the World," in which students match their skills against game…

Discusses four major approaches to teaching about controversial issues frequently cited in educational literature: problem solving, public issues, decision making, and moral reasoning. Provides guidelines for structuring large-group discussions, small-group discussions, and debates within these approaches. Includes a list of instructional…

Economic inequality is tearing our civil society apart. Addressing this problem through school governance reforms (vouchers, privatization, and charter schools), or curriculum changes (teaching new basic skills), or a new instructional focus (Rifkin's civil sector) ignores the real challenge: redistributing wealth and softening inequalities.…

Presents a teacher's guide for use in conjunction with the Washington, DC, public television station (WETA) four-part television series, "Vote for Me." The series provides a behind-the-scenes look at political factions, and local elections. The Teachers Guide includes program descriptions, previewing, postviewing, and discussion…

Advocates utilizing an issues-centered approach to teaching controversial political issues in social studies classrooms. Recommends augmenting this approach with the development of a democratic classroom where student views are encouraged and considered. Identifies useful techniques for this approach, including debates, simulations, discussions,…

Outlines and discusses a system for predicting the winner in presidential elections. The system consists of 13 statements favoring reelection for the incumbent party. Five or fewer false statements indicate an incumbent win. Predicts President Clinton winning the 1996 election. Includes tables showing veracity of 13 keys in historical elections.…

Describes learning activities to be used in conjunction with a facsimile of the 92nd Congress's joint resolution passing the 26th Amendment extending the voting franchise to 18-year-olds. These activities include document analysis, time lines, class discussions, and storytelling. Briefly reviews the amendment process. (MJP)

Outlines a role play that highlights the potential conflict between freedom of the press and the rights of defendants and victims. Students assume the roles of representative characters (police chief, newspaper editor) in a small town where a sensational murder has occurred. They also conduct a class discussion. (MJP)

Examines the relationship between the National Standards and the California "History-Social Science Framework." Concludes that the two are mutually supporting with frequent intersections of material and objectives. Includes organizing questions and content summary, as well as a sample standard page from the National Standards. (MJP)

Asserts that the concept of a sustainable future for the United States is closely bound with the fate of the environment. Calls for a national dialog in which social values and social responsibility become important components of citizenship responsibility. (CFR)

Analyzes Catholic education between 1920 and 1950 by reviewing the intellectual and cultural context which shaped its development; identifying its philosophical and theological assumptions; and examining differences between conservatives and progressives on educational practice. (CFR)

Maintains that, although the United Nations and its New York headquarters is well-known, the location and activities of the World Court in the Hague, Netherlands, are seldom mentioned in the news. Discusses the origins, structure, and composition of the International Court of Justice, better known as the World Court. (CFR)