The portrayal of the Middle East in school textbooks has been reported to be inaccurate and negative as late as the mid 1990's. Numerous major studies conducted by various researchers and organizations indicate that school textbooks written between the 1970's and 1990's contributed to existing stereotypes of the Middle East held by many Americans.…

Twenty-six elementary and secondary texts dealing with the Middle East are analyzed for objectivity and accuracy. Results indicate a need for area specialists' participation in textbook writing. Analysis is based upon data gathered by the Committee on Middle East Image in Secondary Schools, Middle East Studies Association. (JH)

This is a report of the Japan/United States Textbook Study Project the goal of which is to improve each nation's textbooks, especially in regard to the treatment of Japan in U.S. textbooks, the treatment of the United States in Japanese textbooks, and the treatment of relations between the two countries in each nation's textbooks. Panelists from…

This dissertation analyzed how political foundations, economic matters, and social problems of the United States are portrayed in selected English-language textbooks of East and West German publishers. For West Germany the research was based on nine Ieading stage-adopted textbooks at the upper level. The East Germans allow only one series of…

Summarizes results of a cooperative international analysis of social studies texts by the United States/Japan Study Group. The project found books from each country tended to justify their own country's actions while consistently oversimplifying conditions in the other. Teaching strategies to counteract textbook biases are included. (AM)

Introduces a cooperative project undertaken by the USSR Ministry of Education and by various educational institutions in the United States to assess what youth in each country learn about the other country from geography and history textbooks. The objective was to minimize misinformation. (DB)

This review of a 1981 interim report on the United States' and the Soviet Union's distortion of events in history and geography textbooks is intended to encourage educators in both countries to depict the other side more honestly, less aggressively, and more appreciative of each other's virtues and flaws. Organized into two major sections,…

This is a report of the Netherlands/United States Textbook Study Project, the goal of which is to improve each nation's textbooks, especially in regard to the treatment of Netherlands in U.S. textbooks, the treatment of the United States in Netherlands' textbooks, and the treatment of relations between the two countries in each nation's textbooks.…

The purpose of this study was to compare characteristics desired by college English teachers in a composition handbook with the characteristics actually found in those recently published in order to help teachers in the selection of this resource. Data were collected through a questionnaire sent to 200 members (170 responded) of the Conference on…

The senior author of a textbook presenting U.S. and Canadian history in a comparative framework criticizes U.S. history textbooks for their interpretations of Native Americans and for their mystifying tendencies. Explains how "Canada: A North American Nation" presents a more detached perspective and offers a second opinion on some of the…

A study compared the 1975 and 1983 editions of the "Macmillan Reading Program Series" primary readers in order to examine sex role portrayals. It was hypothesized that the 1983 edition would show an increase in portrayals of non-sexist roles when compared with the 1975 edition. A checklist was constructed to record instances of sexism…

Uses brief excerpts from Chinese and US history textbooks to compare the different representations of historical themes. The themes represented are British colonialism in North America, Native Americans, Chinese immigration, post-Civil War reconstruction, Spanish American War, Versailles (post-World War I), the Great Depression, and Hiroshima.…

By comparing a text that is especially biased with one that is especially free of bias, the understanding and recognition of race and sex bias in history textbooks can be developed. "Your Mississippi" by John K. Bettersworth and "Mississippi: Conflict and Change", edited by Sallis and Loewen, provide examples for such a study.…

Examines US history as portrayed in Communist Chinese geography, economics, and history texts. Surprisingly little propaganda is found in the geography texts. History and economics, however, contain consistent Marxist interpretations. Briefly describes the background and educational exchange that led to this study. (MJP)