Asserts that the study of history involves more than the passive absorption facts, dates, names, and places. Maintains that real historical understanding requires students to engage in historical thinking, to raise questions, and to marshal evidence. Describes skills for five types of historical thinking. (CFR)

Discusses opposing tendencies in the interpretation of Western Civilization. Describes the expanded definition that includes Byzantine and Islamic cultures as heirs of the Greco-Roman cultures. Suggests that a limited definition of Western culture will facilitate a problems approach, emphasize diversity among cultures, and integrate the classical…

The purposes of this seminar were to examine the role of teaching about the French Revolution in European secondary schools, to examine common interpretations of this historical period, and to define methods of arriving at common perceptions. This report considers: (1) selected problems in teaching about the French Revolution in various European…

Developed through a broad based national consensus building process, the National History Standards project has involved working toward agreement both on the larger purposes of history in the school curriculum and on the more specific history understandings and thinking processes that all students should have equal opportunity to acquire over 12…

Nineteen ninety-two is the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. This position statement challenges educators to participate in commemorating the quincentenary by seriously examining the available scholarship to enhance knowledge about 1492, and in turn, to enhance the knowledge of students. Specifically, educators are…

Discusses the objectives of secondary school history instruction in Lithuania. Presents a comprehensive topic syllabus of world and Lithuanian history as currently taught in all Lithuanian schools. Includes selected titles from the 390 lessons allotted to the topics. (CFR)

Compares treatment of global education in three curriculum guidelines: California's History-Social Science Framework (1987); the New York Social Studies Program; and the National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools' report, "Charting a Course." Finds the New York program more broadly conceptualized emphasizing all the social…

This document is the report of a committee charged with two tasks: (1) to examine the state recommended sequence of study and the recommended textbooks for purposes of determining whether or not North Carolina's students were afforded adequate opportunities to study the roles of religion in shaping the human heritage in the United States and the…

Statistics on college students in Czechoslovakia before November 1989 are presented, and a survey of 320 students after the massive political upheaval is reported. The survey assessed student views on the new social, economic, and political situation, the status and changes in higher education, changes in higher education funding, and future…

Discusses two religion and public instruction seminar series for teachers and administrators. Reports that one series addresses U.S. religious pluralism, the relationship of religion to moral education, textbook controversies, and teaching about religion. Indicates that the second series deals with religion's role in history and literature, the…

Addresses the problem of racial bias in the teaching of history. Argues that history is taught from a European viewpoint ignoring civilization's beginning in Africa. Suggests that African-American children will develop self-esteem and motivation if they are taught about African history. Describes such a program in the Indianapolis (Indiana) Public…

Presents abstracts of 10 documents, selected and reviewed from the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) that deal with the debate over how to teach history. Includes information for accessing or ordering documents. (NL)

Developed through a broad-based national consensus building process, the national history standards project has involved working toward agreement both on the larger purposes of history in the school curriculum and on the more specific history understandings and thinking processes all students should have equal opportunity to acquire over 12 years…

This world history equity module was developed as a teacher training resource for use by Alaska local school districts. The manual is divided to facilitate the development of district professional development activities as well as to provide specific examples for inclusion of women in the curriculum. Alaska has one of the strongest state sex…

In 1991, the 50th anniversary of the United States' entrance into World War II was observed. This is an opportune time to reevaluate and renew the teaching of this cataclysmic event. Most people have been affected by the political, economic, and social consequences of the War. But perhaps the most important reason to rededicate ourselves to…