World history curriculum in the United States is Eurocentric. By downplaying contributions from non-Western societies, state standards of world history in the modern era create a narrative of the West as a driver of progress and Europe as the primary protagonist of global events. Research further shows social studies teachers rely on such state…

Because of the pressure to increase test scores in reading and mathematics, content areas such as social studies are being eliminated from many elementary schools' curricula. It is critical that teachers find ways to integrate social studies into reading and mathematics. Social studies and mathematics may not immediately come to mind when…

Critiques Diane Ravitch's suggestions for the revival of history in the school curriculum. Characterizes her arguments as conservative and compares her to the anti-progressives of the 1950s. Calls for less emphasis on traditional history and discusses alternative conceptions of history. Examines the California History Social Science Framework. (KO)

Upon rejecting traditional world history curricula, which include all chronological developments from cave dweller to 20th century, a course is suggested to study significant patterns of government, economics, revolution, war, major religions, geography, scientific advancement, education, and rise and fall of civilizations. (Author/AV)

An outline of a unit used to teach the political science concept of model-building to both average and above-average high school students is provided. (DE)

Educators must decide which concepts, generalizations, and content of multicultural education are to receive priority attention. Characteristics of curricular elements to be selected as foundations of multicultural education are discussed. (RM)

Social studies departments today face the challenge of how to successfully orchestrate four major components of curricula change -- staff concerns, evaluating the curriculum, course content, and restructuring the curriculum. (Author)

Criteria are described for selecting specific issues, events, and documents to be covered in history courses. Teachers should base content selection on basic concepts within the discipline, social needs and values of the class, pedagogical considerations, and the principle of economy in meeting multiple needs. (Author/AV)

Responds to a critique by Ronald Evans of Ravitch's position on the teaching of history. States that the goals of history are to put students in command of knowledge which will allow them to reach their own conclusions. Urges that teachers take the risk of allowing students to think for themselves. (KO)

Outlines the history, goals, and topics covered by social studies in junior secondary schools in Botswana. Questionnaire responses from 150 junior secondary teachers address conceptions about the definition and content of social studies, the qualities of instructional materials, the quality of social studies teachers, and other related problems.…

The six stages of citizenship development through which a child passes from the time of birth are discussed, and the teaching methods and curriculum for citizenship education that are appropriate at the various levels are described. (RM)

Research findings of interest to teachers wanting to establish a curriculum about nuclear war are examined, and general themes appropriate for a course about war and peace are suggested. Specifically discussed are students' views and moral reasoning about war. (RM)

Describes the development and implementation of interdisciplinary four world studies courses at Queens College (City University of New York). Discusses the planning process in which teaching teams from the social sciences and humanities developed course content and objectives. States that the courses were designed to be part of the undergraduate…

Efforts to strengthen instruction in U.S. history and government resulted in the development of "Lessons on the Constitution," a book containing 62 lessons for use with high school students. The curriculum development process used in writing the book is described, and the objectives, format, and content of the lessons are discussed. (RM)

Recalls the development of a 1970s high school economics textbook and curriculum titled, "Economics in Society," and how it developed into an adult education curriculum. The curriculum emphasizes a thematic approach to economics focusing on concepts and institutions, industry organization, the national economy, and developing countries' economies.…