This article examines three examples of inquiry-based curricular loops, each of which focuses on a particular social studies concept. The article begins with a civics teacher (Andrew Danner) who uses a series of structured inquiries highlighting the concept of power as it relates to the three branches of government and the role of citizens in a…

[W]hen I hear people denounce our political scene as "post-truth," I have to wonder when exactly they think it was that politics was determined by the truth? The same goes for those who decry today's "fake news." […]To claim that with Trump's election we've entered a post-truth era of fake news is to claim that the U.S. was…

In this study, the views of social studies teachers about the autocratic, democratic and irrelevant classroom management approaches were examined. For this purpose, it was investigated whether the opinions of the social studies teachers about the classroom management approaches differed according to their gender and seniority. This research…

This paper explores the interrelations between power, politics, academia and curriculum reform in British Columbia (BC) using social studies curriculum documents as a case study. It describes how curriculum reform occurred and argues that reform was undemocratic as it was largely the product of individuals with power who invited individuals with…

John Dewey said that "democracy needs to be reborn in each generation and education is its midwife." While there has been criticism of the Bush administration's post-9/11 agenda, there is little recognition of the role that his education policy played to rebirth democracy for a nation in crisis. This paper analyzes the ways that 9/11 has…

Purpose: The aim of this article is to discuss to what extent and in what ways the Sami people are included in national imaginary in textbooks. The article sheds critical light on important aspects of democracy, inclusion and multiculturalism in education through the example of indigenous peoples in Norway. The article also explores what…

High-quality civic education not only prepares children for the most basic civic participation--voting and understanding how powers are divided--but also helps them acquire broader skills, such as deliberating with fellow citizens to make difficult decisions that affect their communities, advocating for themselves and others on matters of public…

The current study aims to investigate social studies and science teachers' attitudes and classroom practices associated with controversial issues. The study is a qualitative research based on data collected through interviews and observation. Social studies and Science teachers participated in the current study which was conducted in Kirsehir, a…

Despite persistent questions about the nature and purpose of social studies education in the United States, there exists general agreement that social studies should be about democratic citizenship. But much depends on how individuals view democracy, and the extent to which they think it has been, or could be, realized through education. This…

As the title of this book suggests, how one understands, perceives and experiences democracy may have a significant effect on how he/she actually engages in, and with, democracy. Within the educational context, this is a key concern, and forms the basis of the research presented in this volume within a critical, comparative analysis. The Global…

One of the most perplexing quandaries that has continually confronted proponents of democratic governance centers around the question of how to protect the right of the majority to govern while simultaneously protecting the fundamental rights of those who are, at least temporarily, in the minority (Martinson 1996, 163). The author of this paper…

Encourages the use of the mock trial as an activity that instructs students in the methodology of radical advocacy and teaches the mechanisms of power in a democratic society. Defines radical advocacy. Outlines the procedures of a mock trial, discussing fact and witness statements, opening and closing statements, cross-examinations, and courtroom…

A tension exists between the goals of social education and the nature of the compulsory school system. Compulsory education was established late in the 19th century as a response to the trend toward an urban industrial society. The industrial world required workers who were punctual, attentive, and quiet; thus, compulsory education was seen as a…

This unit focuses on the classic problem of the place of military power in a democratic society. Early sections examine the relationship between civil and military authority as developed in colonial America and written into the Constitution. The second half of the unit invites consideration of the relevance and workability of the earlier tradition…

Discusses the political developments in South Africa following the demise of apartheid and suggests ways to integrate this subject into the social studies curriculum. Examines the current obstacles and opportunities for the development of democracy in South Africa. Includes a series of teaching activities and related questions. (MJP)