Suggests using political fiction in teaching government or politics. Observes that many political novels reflect their authors' political philosophies and that good fiction about the U.S. political system is not easy to find. Provides an annotated bibliography of leading works of political fiction. (SG)

Discusses the importance of studying the Vietnam War. Attempts to illustrate the amount and quality of coverage of the Vietnam War in U.S. government textbooks. Explains that the amount of space devoted to the war in most of these texts remains inadequate for student understanding of the Vietnam War. (CMK)

Presents the Texas standards for U.S. history in the following areas: (1) history, (2) geography, (3) economics, (4) government, (5) citizenship, (6) culture, (7) science, technology, and society, and (8) social studies skills. Offers 26 standards in total and provides expectations for the students in each area. (CMK)

Reports on a study of the treatment of the Second Amendment in 24 secondary-level U.S. history textbooks and 8 U.S. government textbooks. Discusses inadequate and inaccurate interpretations and calls for a portrayal of the Second Amendment that reflects what the founding fathers wanted and what the courts have decided. (CFR)

Asserts that the Watergate scandal during the 1972 presidential election altered the U.S. government and the very mood of the United States. Presents a content analysis of 5 middle school, 5 secondary, and 12 college-level textbooks. Finds that the texts exhibit weak historical discussion or analysis of Watergate. (CFR)