States that viewing the U.S. Constitution in terms of the late 1700's pamphlet literature, the major documents of the foundation, colonial political documents, and the works of European political theorists can lead to a new perspective on the founding period. Points out that the old perspective is still being used in high school U.S. history…

An outline of a unit used to teach the political science concept of model-building to both average and above-average high school students is provided. (DE)

A general overview of political science education in Canadian public schools, with an emphasis on secondary education, is provided. The level, content, and objectives of political science courses offered by schools in the various provinces of Canada are discussed. (RM)

Illustrates the importance of "passionate detachment" (passionate about being detached from one's position on a topic) when addressing advocacy in the classroom by describing "Introduction to Social Policy," a course on poverty. Explains that the course aims at developing an understanding of poverty, not just a list of proposed solutions. (CMK)

Education about national security has always been part of the social studies curriculum in U.S. high schools. But its focus has been simply chronological and episodic with major attention given to war, particularly the decision to enter it and the conduct of U.S. military forces. Little attention has been given to the evolution and structural…

Describes the use of a learning community where 36 first-year students cohabitated in a single hall of student housing and enrolled in the class, "The American Political System", and a first-year seminar. Discusses the course content, the benefits of the community experience, and how to improve the community. (CMK)

Discusses Emory University's (Georgia) Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity (TATTO) program, which consists of five components: Graduate School Course, Departmental Course, Teaching Assistantship, Teaching Associateship, and Dean's Teaching Fellowship. Considers the strengths and problems of TATTO. Lists the aspects of TATTO worth…

Explores the role of teachers focusing on the importance of their enthusiasm for teaching. Discusses such topics as teaching styles, the topical coverage of courses, and the attitudes teachers have toward students. Addresses the issues of personal taste and relevance within the realm of topical content. (CMK)

Explains using the Bosnian war crimes simulation to introduce international law and its political and legal ramifications in the course "Introduction to International Politics." Discusses the characteristics of the simulation, its effectiveness, and the response by students. Offers an evaluation of the exercise. (CMK)

Summarizes four guidelines pertaining to classroom advocacy that are based on the purpose of a liberal arts education: (1) advocacy should be explicit; (2) advocacy should be reasoned and informed; (3) teachers should allow free and open discussion of students' positions; and (4) advocacy should be civil and repectful of students. (CMK)

States that northern politics deserve a place in Canadian curricula because of its intrinsic interest and the opportunities it offers to study the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the Canadian state. Discusses territorial governments and the economic and constitutional problems facing them. Concludes that studying the north may bring…

This second of three units to the 12th-grade first-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course provides 20 student activities that examine political resources such as wealth, skills, status, information, and ideas. The activities and readings are divided into six sections which stress the alternative patterns of political resources…

This subunit on the foreign policy of the USSR is part of one of four resource units in an eleventh grade area studies course. This subunit begins with a list of objectives, the generalizations, skills, and attitudes to be learned in this section. The materials treat the relations of the USSR with other countries and introduce the USSR's split…

This document on course goals in the social sciences is one part of a critique series dealing with the development and evaluation of course goals in six subject matter areas for grades K-12. The series provides an initial pool of course-level goals that are expected to be of considerable value in assisting educators with goal definition related to…

This paper focuses on the teaching of international law in the University of Virginia's (Charlottesville) Department of Government and Foreign Affairs. It highlights the international law curriculum as part of the Foreign Affairs Department's course offerings and describes the purposes and objectives of courses in this curriculum. Problems that…