Traces the beginning and development of social studies as a curriculum area. Compares the situation and recommendations from the turn of the century with those of today. Reports that the curriculum is still dominated by history and government with geography at the elementary and junior high levels. (DK)

Discusses the content of social studies as a discipline. Suggests that the real curriculum of the social studies in actual teaching is history. Argues that the original emphasis on citizenship training needs to be restored or developed as a separate discipline to establish a source of knowledge independent of the social studies. (DK)

Discusses the nature of social studies. Suggests that the National Council for the Social Studies seems dysfunctional because it aspires to be apolitical in a field that is inherently political. Concludes that social education will continue to reflect the structure of society and the values of people who control the educational process. (DK)

Provides a partial listing of works found in the ERIC database on the debate between those who support social studies as a discipline and those who would replace it with history and geography courses. Includes articles, reports, and reviews covering various aspects of the debate. (DK)

Discusses issues related to teaching international relations. Supports the position that teaching controversial issues is an integral part of any social studies course. Explores some controversial issues that might be considered in the classroom, describing approaches to teaching these issues. (KO)

Contends that great strides were made in improving economics education after 1961, with the release of the National Task Force on Economic Education report. Asserts that infusing economic concepts into other social studies courses is much less effective than providing a separate economics course. (CFR)

Compares social studies education in Malawi, Nigeria, and Kenya, focusing on the content of the curriculum, instructional materials utilized, and courses offered. Examines the problems each country faces in developing and implementing its curriculum. Includes the historical, political, and economic factors influencing the social studies…

Reviews the origins and development of social studies. Maintains the concept of social studies was derived from the progressive period and based on a vision of a republic built on participatory citizenship. Asserts that social studies is an interpretative, ever-changing process that defies reduction to a single academic discipline. (CFR)

Contends that the development of professional historians in the late 1800s resulted in a conflict with teacher educators in teacher training institutions. Concludes that involving historians in precollegiate history issues in recent years has led to an improved image for secondary history teachers. (CFR)

Asserts that the world has become more economically interdependent but that economics instruction does not adequately provide students with this knowledge or its significance. Provides a rationale for global economic education and a set of economic concepts and generalizations that would enhance understanding of global issues. (CFR)

Describes the ongoing debate between the student-centered and the discipline-centered approach to curriculum development. Contends that the demand that social studies be made more discipline centered for economic/vocational reasons may result in a loss of the social education skills that employers rate as important. (CFR)

Maintains that current efforts to reform education and social studies are cycles of media hyperbole and political hope. Contends that issues underlying various programs are really about power and control. Argues that social studies has a role in making schools and students models of democratic thought and action. (CFR)