This study guide is a product of the Idaho Humanities Council (IHC). The guide is the result of IHC's July 2002 summer institute for teachers held at Albertson College of Idaho (Caldwell). Twenty five Idaho teachers participated. They explored U.S. Constitutional issues and political decisions and participated in a simulated congressional hearing…

This course explores questions of why we have taxes and how they benefit people. Various other taxes (local, State and Federal, property, income, excise, and inheritance taxes) are dealt with. There is no specific prerequisite for this course, but it is recommended that students enroll in other consumer economics and business mathematics courses…

A history of suffrage in the United States and an examination of voting percentages of the population in recent years show that large groups in our country do not vote. Antiquated voter registration laws prevent members of our highly mobile population from exercising their right to vote. (AV)

The author argues that decision making is a critical skill for citizens in a democracy and considers strategies, particularly values clarification and cognitive moral development, which may be used to incorporate decision making into the citizenship curriculum. (SJL)

Focuses on the importance of voting by presenting articles from experts who work in civic organizations: (1) "Rocking the Vote: How We Can Reach Young Americans" (Kay Albowicz); (2) "A Bold New Direction in Civic Participation" (Melanie L. Campbell) and (3) "Voting--What's in It for Me?" (Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins). (CMK)

Describes molding students into positive change agents. Includes a model that links change agent skills to civic engagement. Presents two projects that include positive change agent skills in the context of civic engagement. States that positive change agent skills prepare students for career success. (CMK)

The authors discuss (1) the meaning of citizen participation and the types of roles and skills that can be taught in classrooms; (2) how textbooks and other social studies materials teach participant roles; and (3) a sample lesson for teaching participation skills. (AV)

Focuses on how young people do not participate in the voting process. Discusses three types of voters and the use of democratic deliberation in the classroom. Highlights three types of issues that can be considered for democratic deliberation and offers criteria to help teachers select the best issues. (CMK)

This book opens with an exploration of the first economic revolution, which set the stage for the dramatic unfolding of the role economics has played in world history. The lessons focus on two topics: (1) why some economies grew and prospered while others remained stagnant or declined; and (2) what causes people to make choices that help or hinder…

Because of free enterprise projects developed by high school students, the students are more aware of the American economic system. They learned to work together to achieve goals and to solve problems by decision making. They also became better consumers and citizens. (CT)

Describes a set of six instructional simulation games in economics. Identifies simulation goals as increasing students' understanding of economic variables and political policy issues and enabling students to question, express views, and hold decision makers accountable. Suggests that by increasing economic awareness, the games will promote the…

Describes the community participation facet of the eleventh-grade social studies curriculum for British Columbia. Proposes a four-stage model to identify, study, and propose recommendations about a community issue or problem. Suggests that social action based on empirical research improves social studies instruction. (CFR)

Asserts that the participation of citizens in the U.S. Census is vital because the quality of the census is increased and in turn allows for the accurate depiction of U.S. society and allocation of resources. Believes that service learning enables students to learn about and participate in the U.S. Census. (CMK)

Contends that early adolescents need to learn how the jury trial system works. Provides background information on the topic for teachers. Includes a two-day lesson plan on jury duty as a civic obligation, background information for students, and extension activities relating to jury trials in the appendix. (CMK)

This book uses human interest stories to explain perplexing behavior from an economic perspective throughout U.S. history. The set of 15 lessons include: (1) "Indentured Servitude: Why Sell Yourself into Bondage?"; (2) "Do the Right Thing: Free the Slaves, Avoid the War"; (3) "Why Would You Raise Chickens When You Don't Like Eggs? -or- Why Did…