Suggests using state and national seals as beginning points for middle school geography study. Notes that the emblems can serve as points of entry into the study of place. Highlights variation among in the amount of geographical information each emblem contains. Concludes that the use of emblems is a low-cost, high-interest teaching strategy. (SG)

Contends that political instability in Europe and the rise and fall of European nations has occurred regularly throughout history. Reviews European geopolitical events and trends from 1815 to the present. Maintains that the rise of a strong Central Europe with German leadership will determine the future of the European Community. (CFR)

Presents a basis of a history framework for program development in civics in Canadian schools. Identifies elements of government that are associated with civics and selects historical events through which to study these elements. Discusses the history of thought, history as a science, constitutional history, the government, leaders, and national…

Compares East and West Berlin before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. Offers divergent viewpoints on German reunification from interviews of two professors: one from East Germany, the other from West Germany. Recommends that social studies classes incorporate current events such as German reunification. (CH)

Presents the Middle East as a circumterral (rimmed by interpenetrating inland seas) rather than circumthallasic (lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea). Contends that, in a circumterral setting, domination by a single nation is made difficult by the weight of the land masses that project into the seas. (CFR)