States that because of the lack of depth in history texts, the oral history of Vietnam veterans is a valuable teaching alternative. Provides details for preparing students and veterans for interviews. Concludes that this method helps students understand complex issues by placing them in the middle of historical inquiry. (GEA)

Proposes the adoption of a global constitution, similar to the U.S. Constitution, as a precondition for a peaceful planetary society. Explores the geographic roots of the U.S. Constitution and discusses the diffusion of federalism throughout the world. Advocates the teaching of global government theories in history, government, and geography…

Based on the July, 1942 raid by 5000 Canadian troops on the French port of Dieppe, this article provides detailed instruction on how to involve students in resolving conflicting points of view. Includes a chart for observing student behavior in discussion groups and a list of rules for managing controversy. (JDH)

Describes a classroom project in which 7-year-olds debated the controversial issue of the building of a new road to their town. Data collection and interviews culminated in a "public inquiry." Purposes included developing moral values, promoting decision-making skills, and developing autonomy. (Author/CH)

In this social studies unit, high school students learn about apartheid, South Africa's system of racial domination, through the use of daily newspapers and weekly magazines. (RM)

Describes and advocates the use of a nuclear education curriculum designed to teach high school students to embrace a variety of perspectives on controversial issues, to articulate their own thoughts and concerns about world events, and to participate responsibly in national dialogues around the nuclear arms race and its implications. (Author/GC)

This annotated listing cites books for secondary students dealing with a number of topics, including women, gay prisoners, the critically ill, special interest groups, and the impact of the juvenile justice system on teenage women. (RM)

The most fundamental ideas ingrained in U.S. culture are the notions of freedom and democracy. The United States Constitution guarantees certain inalienable rights and protections. However, a person only needs to read "The Chronicle of Higher Education" since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center (New York) and the…

The May 2001 regional seminar on "Teaching Materials: Controversial and Sensitive Issues, Multiperspectivity," held in Ohrid, was included in the Stability Pact, with financing from Austria and Switzerland. It was the first regional teacher training seminar in this region. The seminar reviewed controversial and sensitive issues in…

This paper describes a qualitative research that used small group discussion activities centered in biotechnology and genetics controversies as a contribution to the promotion of students' thinking tools. Students' written conclusions and reflections about the activities, teachers' interviews, participant observation of the classes, and their…

Current scientific and technologiical issues should be incorporated into more active classroom, laboratory, and extracurricular learning so that students can perceive the future as personally relevant. (MJL)

Explores the ability of social studies education to include balanced controversial issues within its textual materials. Suggests a code of content for the textbook industry and social studies educators, stating that the textbook industry should seek and develop ideas relating to controversial public issues and that personal opinions of authors in…

Examines church-state relations in educational matters in Italy from 1922 to the outbreak of World War II. Unlike Nazi Germany which could boast of nazified schools, Fascist Italy was compelled to recognize the considerable influence of Catholicism on education. (Author/KC)

Offers suggestions to help teachers handle controversial topics (such as sex and nudity, violence, language, and other questionable issues) when using novels, plays, and their film adaptations in English-as-a-Second-Language and literacy classrooms. (SR)

World events, increasing diversity in the classroom, and headlines about the latest court cases all ensure that religion will remain a sensitive and sometimes contentious issue in the public schools. Challenges readers to think about how they would respond to 12 hypothetical classroom situations involving religion. (Author/MLF)