This paper defines, inquires into the relationships, and analyzes the terms social sciences and social studies. Too often social studies are a simplified instructional adaptation from the social sciences in which curricular decisions are made on the basis of dictates of the social science disciplines and of college prerequisites. A social studies…

The implications of six national reports for social studies are examined. These implications are compared with past and present practices in the social studies and the ways in which the reports fail to give useful guidance to teachers are noted. An introductory chapter presents a broad overview of the six reports: "The Paideia Proposal: An…

Anthropology can make two major and complimentary contributions to the process of education: 1) provide basic concepts and methods which are uniquely able to help public school students understand the specialized, abstract, complex nature of their urban environment; and 2) apply concepts and methods through research in schools to identify and…

The guide outlines an interdisciplinary seventh grade course on urban studies focusing on the city of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. By comparing the city of Bethlehem with other urban centers in the nation the student gains an understanding of the following: 1) the development of urban centers; 2) the increasing role played by…

The paper reports the results of a field test of a future studies program for students in grades eight through ten. The first section reviews the small amount of research that has been done in the area of future studies instruction. The program which was evaluated in this study is a teacher-led instructional program containing 42 to 70 class…

This Quinmester world studies elective course for grades 7, 8, and 9, focuses on the comparative study of three far eastern nations: China, India, and Japan. The study examines the successes and failures of each nation in dealing with the common problems of over-population, industrialization, and literacy education, leading to speculation as to…

This experimental unit on modernization will involve secondary students in researching and developing a 50-nation data bank from which they are asked to make cross-cultural comparisons and analyses. Students infer some of the consequences of economic development on social and political life in a modernizing society, apply the concept of…

The paper describes a study of the comparative effectiveness of certain courses in achieving specified educational objectives. Social studies, language arts, vocational/technical, math, science, and fine arts courses were compared as to their effectiveness in achieving "social education." By means of a group concensus of elementary and secondary…

An outline is presented for a one-semester course in "people liberation" which can be incorporated into social studies, consumer education, family education, or womens studies programs. Designed for senior high school, the course explores masculine and feminine roles in contemporary American society and helps students understand themselves as…