This essay explores the various definitions of "civitas" and how those definitions have valuable lessons for people. "Civitas" means both a political community or government, especially as found in a republic, and the kind of citizenship a republic requires. Specifically the paper examines the role of government in education…

In recent years, the concern for civic education has reentered the mainstream agenda of U.S. political science. This paper poses an argument about the nature of the civic education challenge, arguing that the primary issue facing the profession in the area of educating citizens is much "deeper" than those currently being discussed. The…

This paper suggests that a well-composed scheme of civic education does not merely predispose the citizen to political engagement, but more fundamentally, the considered systematic design of civic education parallels the essentials of both the constitutionalism and the democracy to which it gives access and control. This paper aims to draw out…

The mainstream press and politicians have highlighted the application of new communication technologies in educational domains for years. Although a myriad of literature has examined the philosophical or practical concerns behind the creation of such civic improvement programs as the "electronic town meeting" or the "televote,"…

Students' perceptions of high school governance are described and analyzed to provide a basis for comparing the ideals with the practice of civic education. Students' statements about actual incidents involving problems in high school governance are analyzed in terms of concepts from political science and psychology. (Author/JM)

This study analyzed the photographs and other illustrations from chapters covering subject matter common to seven secondary-level civics textbooks--the Constitution, the federal court system, local government, and economic systems--in order to determine how instructionally relevant they were to teaching and learning the content and concepts that…

Citizenship education is commonly accepted as the ultimate goal of the social studies, yet the professional preparation of school administrators devotes little attention to civic learning. The status of citizenship education as reported by elementary school principals in the Dade County, Florida public schools was investigated. The first major…

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is a fundamental document in the development of the United States. It is outranked in importance only by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The immediate purpose of the Northwest Ordinance was to provide government for the largely unsettled lands north and west of the Ohio River. In promising…

The general procedures used to develop educational objectives for the National Assessment of Educational Progress are outlined, as are the procedures used to develop citizenship objectives. Ten general objectives are stated: "show concern for the welfare and dignity of others"; "support rights and freedoms of all individuals";…

This resource guide was prepared to provide government and political science teachers with information on recent trends and developments in political science, sources of classroom materials, and a listing of professional references. It is hoped that the guide will be helpful to social studies supervisors, librarians, political science educators…

Presents a review of the burgeoning field of Canadian political socialization research as it applies to children and youth, and considers some implications of recent findings for the Canadian studies curriculum. (Editor)

The "Law in a Free Society" project of the State Bar of California, in cooperation with other associations and institutions, is a systematic and comprehensive program at the K-12 level in civic education, emphasizing the development and application of reasoning and inquiry skills to the concepts of authority, justice, freedom,…

Reviews how classroom teachers can use Congressional Satellite Public Announcement Network (C-SPAN) to stimulate and instruct students in social studies and American Government classes. Outlines future plans for classroom outreach which include a guidebook, training tapes, lesson plans, and teacher seminars. Includes an address for further…

Offers guidance for conducting Law Day activities in public schools. Maintains that Law Day should be more than a one-shot lecture by lawyers in a high school auditorium. Provides a variety of ideas and aids for planning a successful Law Day program that enhances year-round law-related education efforts. (JDH)