In this article, a New York City public school teacher discusses the creation and implementation of a course that explores controversial topics surrounding terrorism and modern reactions to terrorism. The author describes the challenges of creating such a course and questions why such courses are seemingly rare in social studies education.…

With the realities of standards-based accountability, it is imperative to model and demonstrate for students how subject areas and teaching methods transcend across traditional boundaries. In an effort to prepare future social studies educators to teach for global awareness and to meaningfully integrate critical literacy skills into their…

This article takes up the question of world history teachers' pedagogical content knowledge by reporting on two separate but related projects. In the first, we briefly discuss an empirical investigation one of the authors conducted into the ways that pre- and in-service world history teachers think about, organize, and make meaning of separate and…

In our complex, interdependent world, it is critical that educators prepare students for global citizenship. One way to develop students' awareness and understanding of the world is through global literature. Through exposure to this type of literature, students gain multiple perspectives and learn about the social, political, and moral conditions…

Elementary teachers can gain valuable insights into the teaching of social studies by taking part in primary social science research projects. Describes a primary research project conducted in a social studies methods class that involved future teachers in investigating the water problems of Shreveport, Louisiana. (RM)

To promote diverse learning strategies, teacher education programs should use their local environments. For example, students in elementary education methods courses at the University of Maryland spend one week in the Mall area of Washington, DC. They must use all the sources in the Mall to research specific problems. (RM)

It is argued that top priority within the field of history should be reserved for the survey course. Structure in a history survey is analyzed from the aspects of critical thinking and the nature of history as a discipline. (KM)

One technique particularly worthy of possible inclusion in the secondary social studies methods class is an assignment in which students interview practicing social studies teachers. In addition to obtaining more insight into actual teaching practice, methods students learn about interviewing as a social studies teaching method. A course is…

A college course in the geography of agriculture presents a unique opportunity for an integrated study of economic, physical, and human geography. A teaching model which uses a systems analysis approach is presented. (RM)

Classroom teachers should depart from the accepted practice of placing the field trip at the end of a unit of social studies instruction and, instead, plan the field experience for the first week of activities. Reasons are discussed, and a sample unit on state government for the middle grades is described. (RM)

Describes a college-level course on "the politics of energy" which explored the nature of the energy crisis, the role of energy in world politics, and possible solutions to the crisis. (AV)

As a social studies teacher educator, the author wants her students, as the nation's future teachers, to aspire to engage their students in K-12 classrooms in meaningful civic activity. Toward this end, she has developed several programs for preservice teachers to gain knowledge and the direct experience of civic participation. The Social Issue…

Describes the development and implementation of interdisciplinary four world studies courses at Queens College (City University of New York). Discusses the planning process in which teaching teams from the social sciences and humanities developed course content and objectives. States that the courses were designed to be part of the undergraduate…

In response to the major demographic changes taking place in the United States and the world, teachers can successfully teach about older people within the framework of the social studies curriculum. A government course, as an example, offers varied approaches in methods to apply social studies concepts to the study and assessment of issues…

Short courses are outlined as the offerings of one rural school district in Pennsylvania. (JB)