Discusses the increasing availability of law, justice, and legal history as a first-year college course. Explains that the course is an interdisciplinary one, mostly taught by political scientists, sociologists, historians, and lawyers. Reviews available college and law school textbooks that could be used in the course. (SG)

This article examines 16 selected examples of microcomputer software and videotape programs which may be used to achieve the goals of law-related education. (JDH)

This article summarizes interviews with three people who helped begin the U.S. law-related education (LRE) movement: Isidore Starr, Vivian Monroe, and Arlene Gallagher. The interview questions cover obstacles to early LRE efforts, challenges for LRE today, and whether LRE has made a difference in social studies and civic education. (JDH)

Using selected examples from Japan, China, and Korea, this article focuses on the ways in which law-related education may be used to provide an avenue for cultural exploration and understanding. (JDH)

Provides an overview of more than two decades of research on educational change and proposes guidelines and activities for school districts attempting to institutionalize law-related education. (JDH)

Reviews the goals of law-related education (LRE) and provides a brief history of its development in the United States. Identifies factors which have contributed to LRE's growth and effectiveness as a component of citizenship education. Presents a chart of desired LRE learning outcomes and introduces the remaining articles in this theme issue. (JDH)

Assesses the role that constitutional studies play in law-related education (LRE) and the impact that the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution has had on LRE. Includes a brief analysis of how the Constitution was taught in civics classes prior to the reforms of the progressive education era of the early 1900s. (JDH)

Assesses the relationship between law-related education (LRE) and delinquency prevention. Reviews theories of delinquency and relates these to the content and practices of LRE. Reports results of a national evaluation of the effectiveness of LRE in promoting law-abiding behavior and the factors leading to it. (JDH)

Provides an overview of the School of Law and Government currently housed at the magnet school, Jefferson High School (Rochester, NY). Describes a quasi-experimental study of the program's effectiveness, results of which have been used to revise the curriculum and support needed staff development. (JDH)

Notes that controversial issues should be a part of the social studies curriculum. Defines different types of statements that occur in classroom discussions about controversial issues: attitudinal, analytical, valuative, or metaphysical. Urges teachers to be aware of the tenor of students' comments. Presents two legal process models as possible…

Presents a composite of educators' opinions regarding how law-related education (LRE) fits into the curriculum. States that LRE does not have to be seen as an additional subject for teachers to cover because it may be implemented in a variety of ways as a part of the existing social studies curriculum. (JDH)

Notes that juvenile justice systems are increasingly turning to law-related education (LRE) programs as a means of providing youths with some of the skills and knowledge which might deter continued delinquent behavior. Describes issues which must be addressed when implementing LRE in juvenile justice settings. (JDH)

This theme issue of "The International Journal of Social Education" contains 11 articles all concerned with efforts to promote civic education in post-communist countries, particularly former Soviet-Bloc nations, including Latvia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Russia. Described are international partnerships for civic…