Students are well served by course simulations that employ active learning styles and student-driven interaction. For debate on political issues, particular public policies are quite effective in stimulating that discussion. We developed an in-class simulation of political debate on the issue of Social Security. We describe the simulation itself,…

This document, the fourth in a series of resource guides emphasizing economic-political analysis of contemporary public policies and issues, focuses on crime control. Designed as a three-week unit for secondary school students, the guide is presented in three sections. The introduction presents an economic and a political science framework for…

To improve social studies instruction and curriculum content in the United States, Northwestern University and the North Central Association Foreign Relations Project conducted 14 experimental seminars (1964-69) in which 894 teachers and administrators from 25 states took part. To determine the effectiveness of the seminars, two surveys were…

The student text portion of this set contains an account of the 1968 presidential election, from the state primaries to the election of Richard M. Nixon. The Teacher's Guide outlines objectives, teaching strategies, discussion questions, vocabulary, and an annotated listing of resources which includes educational and commercial films as well as…

Twelve lesson plans form a unit on voter education for high school students. Objectives for the unit are that students will register and vote in upcoming elections, participate in election campaigns, and increase their knowledge of the political system. Topics of the lesson plans, which are designed to cover a 12-week period, include the…

This seventh grade unit is one of a sequential learning series of the Focus on Inner City Social Studies (FICSS) project developed in accordance with the needs and problems of an urban society. A description of the project is provided in SO 008 271. This unit studies ways in which political parties are both the source of many of our values and the…

This resource unit, developed by University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies as part of a course on Our Political System, introduces eighth graders to decision making at the local level. This unit, much shorter than the others in the course, attempts to have pupils use concepts learned earlier to analyze one or more crucial problems in their…

This unit is intended to provide the student with clear understanding of the function of interest groups and lobbyists in the American Democratic political system. It has been designed to be used for 12-17 days of class work. However, it is possible to alter this time by several days depending upon the individual situation. "Why Lobby"? is divided…

Designed to follow "Economics: Choice Making" described in SO 003 175, this secondary teacher and student manual provides simulation exercises to approximate the processes of political decision-making on the local level. Objectives of this course of study are for students to: gain an understanding of political processes; learn analytical methods…

Designed to be an integral part of the second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course, this skills kit provides supplementary student activities for four documentary "Political Issues" units. The kit is divided into three sections on skills. The analytical skill section provides exercises on six analytical skills…

This resource unit, developed by the University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies, introduces eighth graders to the legislative process. The unit uses case studies such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1964 and attempts to change the Rules Committee in 1961. It also uses much data on background of congressmen and on distribution of…

The rationale, goals, curriculum components, instructional strategies, and curriculum development process of a two-semester, secondary-level political science course, "Comparing Political Experiences," are described in this paper. Developed as part of the High School Political Science Curriculum Project at Indiana University, the major…

This is the third unit to the second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course which focuses on a specific, controversial, political issue. The unit analyzes the concept of political maintenance by studying the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) between 1918 and 1975 and its fight to secure mine safety standards. A documentary…

This is the fourth unit to the 12th-grade second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course which focuses on specific controversial political issues. The unit analyzes the concept of political development by examining the Cummins Engine Company and employee job security during the company's growth into a multinational corporation.…

This unit provides six lessons in which students develop a strategy for political action on a local environmental issue. The unit emphasizes the process of solving political problems within the political system and may be adapted to any geographical or social problem. The first lesson introduces a general environmental issue and requires students…