Suggests that black studies has developed important models for examining how theory, praxis, and community service might be integrated, noting that this represents an important contribution to scholarship in this society, and emphasizing the fact that black studies is a critical field for understanding the nature and development of U.S. society…

In 1996, New York's Monroe Community College (MCC) participated in the American Association of Community Colleges' Exploring America's Communities project, which worked to strengthen the teaching and learning of American history, literature, and culture at U.S. community colleges. MCC's primary goals are as follows: permanently establishing its…

This student book presents short biographies of notable women from diverse economic, ethnic, racial, social, and geographic backgrounds. Women highlighted include: (1) Helen Keller; (2) Eleanor Roosevelt; (3) Georgia O'Keeffe; (4) Julia Morgan; (5) Wilma P. Mankiller; (6) Rachel Carson; (7) Dorothea Lange; (8) Rosalyn Sussman Yalow; (9) Ella…

A series of articles celebrating the Bicentennial of the Constitution is presented in two volumes. The first article in Volume 1 is an interview by Bernard Murchland with Barbara Jordan discussing the effectiveness of the original Constitution. The second article, "If I Were President," is an interview by Bernard Murchland with Studs…

The reciprocal influences of American and French politics, science, art, and religion in the late eighteenth century are discussed. (DB)

This article, written in essay form, offers a bibliography of readings for teachers and students which was compiled for an American studies unit that focuses upon a three-fold approach: the theoretical and historical nature of growth, the evaluation of the entrepreneur's role in economic growth, and the image held of businessmen and business…

Describes an interdisciplinary unit in the history and literature of the United States that focuses on ethnic pluralism. Writing assignments combine research and critical analysis, using literary works and historical texts. Topics include the question of individual and moral responsibility, American Indians, slavery, Judaism, and the South. (DF)

Describes two interdisciplinary high school courses team taught by English and social studies teachers: American Studies and World Studies. Discusses format and structure of the courses; presents a basic outline of each course; includes a description of a typical day in the courses; and offers examples of student projects. Offers hints and…

Describes an approach to social studies which integrates American history and geography, and combines topic interest and children's literature. Notes that the approach begins with students creating a large outline map of the United States, which plays a central role in their activities throughout the school year. Discusses possible activities and…

Discusses U.S. studies at Russian universities. Includes the status of the field, difficulties in obtaining sources, communist interpretation of U.S. social problems resulting in methodological isolationism, and low quality of scholarship. Warns against a shift in attitude that idealizes the Western experience. Argues that changes in mentality…

Discusses an activity called "The Dating Game" that is based on Willa Cather's "My Antonia." Explains that students determine the year Jim Burden, one of the main characters, arrived in Nebraska, using historical events in the novel. Reports students learn about life in the plains and national events and trends in the 1880s.…

Discusses why two high school teachers in Kentucky teach the novel "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, discussing their beginnings, their experiences, their approach, and their goals and criteria. Discusses prereading, reading, and postreading activities. Discusses concerns raised by teachers regarding student maturity and parental approval, and…

Letters by German-American writer and political scientist Francis Lieber and American lawyer and linguist John Pickering to Wilhem von Humboldt in Berlin, published here for the first time, give insight into the cultural interaction between Germany and the United States during the Jacksonian era, and may open new perspectives for German-American…

This user guide is part of a multimedia unit using an interdisciplinary approach with hands-on learning to motivate children to participate actively in their schools and local communities, and to experience the democratic process. This unit focuses on the concept that democracy works best when everyone participates. Unit parts include: (1) video…

In 1996, the Metropolitan Community Colleges (Missouri) participated in the American Association of Community Colleges' Exploring America's Communities project, which works to strengthen the teaching and learning of American history, literature, and culture at U.S. community colleges. The colleges' team formulated a humanities course exploring the…