Students get a valuable opportunity to debate the significance and purpose of Miranda rights by examining the Supreme Court case that led to the warning that police routinely issue.

On August 9, Michael Brown, a college-bound black male, was fatally shot by a white police officer in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri. For several days, jarring images of tear gas, militarized police, and unrest in Ferguson flickered on screens across the world. Undoubtedly, what brought Ferguson to the national consciousness--the death of a…

On December 21, 1911, Fremont Weeks, an employee of the Adams Express Company, was arrested while on the job at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Police suspected that Weeks was selling and "transmitting chances" in a lottery, which at the time was considered gambling, an illegal action in Missouri. While Weeks was being held at…

In late December of 1951, a news story out of Mims, Florida, shocked the nation. The story contained elements of prejudice, discrimination, injustice, lynching, rape, bombings, and murder. The story not only made headlines across the country, but also the world. On the evening of December 25, a bomb was placed under the floor joists of the bedroom…

Elementary social studies curriculum needs a more circumspect examination of the policemen's role in society, a focus on political-ethical questions, and content promoting elucidation of issues and development of critical thinking concepts and discussion skills. The analysis of public issues: concepts, materials, research is cited. (VW)

Teachers and police officers work closely in the Police-School-Liaison-Program, a K-12 project of the Wichita, Kansas, schools which has improved police-school and community relations and contributed to law-related education goals. Inservice teacher education is provided; curriculum materials have been developed; and police officers participate in…

Haitians had expected 2004 to be a year of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of independence from France following the only successful slave revolt of its time. Instead political violence exploded early in the year and armed gunmen took over cities demanding President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resign. Just as the rebels prepared to move in…

Describes the problem of police violence against street children in Guatemala. Includes details of cases, the problems of street children, and the work of Covenant House in trying to help and protect children. Argues that only education about human rights can obtain and preserve rights for children. (DK)

Presents a research study which investigated adolescent attitudes toward the police among two classes of ninth graders in ethnically mixed social studies classes. Students were shown 24 slides, asked questions about the slide, and asked to write a response to each slide. Results of the survey are discussed and additional uses of the survey…

This article provides the details of the chronological events surrounding the establishment of a Governing Council in Iraq in July 2003 by the United States, acting as the leader of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that administers Iraq. The following topics are discussed in the article: (1) The Composition of the Governing Council; (2)…

Five "rock music as history" teaching units, each revolving around a particular socio-political theme, are presented. The themes are civil authorities, military involvements, the public education system, railroads, and representative government. (RM)