In this article Sarita Cargas suggests that getting honors students used to analyzing controversies will contribute to their developing a disposition toward critical thinking. She goes on to say that the value of teaching critical-thinking skills complements the movement of many honors programs toward teaching more than just disciplinary content.…

Change in the way social issues are addressed depends on our recognizing the value of using issues to improve thinking and decision-making skills and to develop historicalmindedness and a global perspective rather than learning the content of particular topics or the "right" answer about an issue. (Author/DCS)

A science teacher relates his feelings as he discussed modern warfare with his sixth-grade students. The students' reactions to moral questions and issues behind civil defense procedures and radioactivity are also discussed. (FG)

To illustrate the incorporation of liberal arts values into the speech communication curriculum, this paper presents a rationale for creating a public speaking course that emphasizes the analysis of current critical issues. The paper argues that by requiring students to speak on important issues, rather than on personal topics, they will need to…

Materials in this manual are designed to help educators raise the issue of nuclear war through a "day of dialog" on the subject. There are seven sections. Section 1 contains a project reationale; suggestions for implementation; methods for meeting resistance; tips for schoolwide, parent-teacher, and community discussion; uses of the media; and…

This handbook explores the issues-centered curriculum for social studies teaching and how student performance reflects an intellectual capacity to address public issues. The book is divided into 11 parts with essays to address specific aspects of the approach. The foreword, written by Shirley Engle, establishes a context for issues-based…

This study examines the effects of school contexts, individual differences, and motivational goals and benefits on current events knowledge. A review of the literature focuses on motivation study of goal theory and self-efficacy. The sample includes 798 students from nine high schools (grades 9-12) in diverse geographical locations and of various…

This four-session discussion guide, intended for use by teachers, students, and the community at large, explores the ethics of intervening or not intervening in conflicts abroad. Inserts provide current information on conflicts in Bosnia, Haiti, North Korea, and Somalia where U.S. military involvement is at issue, but the flexibility of the guide…

This revised social studies course outline follows the New York State Methodology in the development of understandings, the building of concepts, and the generalizations arrived at in the study of a variety of broad issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. General objectives are to provide students with opportunity for…

Introduces "What We Consume," a British curriculum package that examines the social use of nature, world economy, and environmental/political controversies. Explains that the package's goal is to develop students' critical awareness of environmental problems and willingness to initiate change. Outlines the curriculum's framework and…