Using an analytical framework based on the concept of historical distance, this article explores how Dutch history teachers and educators navigate between the past and the present when making curriculum decisions on the sensitive topic of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery. Four history teachers and 2 museum educators were selected on the…

This study explores the enactment and evolution of moral education in Beijing, China. In particular, the author examines the extent to which moral education teachers develop reflective thinking and broach controversial issues within their classrooms. Drawing on interview data from secondary moral education (deyu) teachers, professors who prepare…

Communicative self-efficacy serves as an important link between discussing controversial issues and civic engagement because confidence in one's discourse skills is important to managing conflicting perspectives and developing solutions to community-based problems. Freely available to schools, "Word Generation" is a cross-content…

Frame analysis was used to examine how competing stakeholders framed a sixth grade curriculum controversy over whether the WWII internment of Japanese Americans should be categorized as a controversial issue. Teachers and administrators in a northwestern U.S. school claimed that the internment was clearly wrong and not controversial, but these…

Teaching about the Holocaust is a deeply sensitive and controversial topic in the Republic of Latvia. Due to a Soviet-imposed silence on the topic and the developing nature of democratic education in Latvia, many schools cover this history superficially, if it is covered at all. This study examines a cross-cultural curriculum development project…

Reports information concerning scope and sequence of economics education gathered by a survey of members of the Social Studies Supervisors Association and the Council of State Social Studies Specialists. Responses are compared with those of classroom teachers and college-level faculty. Suggests that a national K-12 economics curriculum is…

Reports a study that compared and contrasted economic education in U.S. and Japanese secondary schools. Examines economics in the curricula; textbooks; characteristics of teachers responsible for economics instruction; and the level of emphasis teachers assign to economic concepts. (Author/BSR)

Explores the assumption that issues-centered instruction is fine for advanced students but too difficult for low-achieving adolescents when reviewing case studies of world geography classes composed of low-achieving students. Concludes that teachers confront numerous difficulties in planning and implementing issues-centered instruction for…

Presents Rugg's educational philosophy and his materials in a descriptive overview; discusses his designs for a new social studies field; examines the process of curriculum development practiced by Rugg and his team of educators and authors; and draws parallels between the Rugg product and the projects of the 1960's. (Author/JK)

Asserts that, for citizens in a democracy to understand and act upon complex societal issues, they must be able to integrate knowledge from a variety of subjects. Traces the history of interdisciplinary social studies education and examines arguments of its supporters and detractors. (CFR)