This unit introduces students to the principles of democracy through a variety of teaching/learning techniques. Each lesson builds upon the opinions/knowledge developed in previous lessons and utilizes them to expand to a higher understanding of the principles of democracy. The principles and values that this exposes can be applied to and…

This lesson examines the Hungarian system of government so that students compare that governmental system with the U.S. model. The lesson is structured with: (1) background on the parliamentarian form of government; (2) description of the judiciary in Hungary and/or the issue of local self-governments; (3) highlights on some major differences…

This paper recounts the experiences of a U.S. professor involved in field research in Hungary. The professor visited classrooms and observed civics education practices in Hungary. The paper combines a review of the literature with observations, interviews, and field notes from the Hungarian experience. Specific emphasis is placed on a "Good…

This book was designed with activities for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The activities are designed to increase student awareness about the environment and its protection. The book presents basic concepts and several perspectives on environmental issues. Each section contains numerous activities. Section titles include: (1)…

This paper explores the varying definitions of civic education through time. The essay provides a framework through which to view the 1916 seminal report of the National Education Association's Committee on Social Studies by examining the competing visions of civic education during the 18 years prior to the report. The conceptualizations of civic…

This document consists of three documents in a packet that make up a curriculum guide that presents objectives, content outlines, sample lessons, and background readings for the development of a primary school and a secondary school civics course in Poland. The documents are: (1) Proposed Civic Education Curriculum for Primary and Secondary…

Socio-civic elements basic to society are the imperative for a social studies program emphasizing process skills, human understanding, cultural goals, population problems, environmental protection, peace education, political responsiveness, interdisciplinary approaches, futures, and globalism. (Author/ND)

The author distinguishes between the concepts of political socialization and political education. He argues that political socialization has come to dominate both our thinking and our teaching in the area of civic education. Suggestions for promoting political education are included. (DE)

Two clashing positions about the social responsibility of educators and the main purpose of public schools are presented. According to the traditional position, the main purpose of public schools is transmission of a society's essential knowledge, skills, and values, which enables students to develop their capabilities to the fullest and to…

The relationship between curriculum design and improvement in student ability to reason critically was studied, using data gathered in an evaluation of a citizen leadership institute for high school students. While the literature on teaching thinking emphasizes direct instruction both to introduce reasoning skill to students and to promote its…

This Wisconsin state test booklet contains 110 multiple choice questions that measure civic literacy. The questions require knowledge of: (1) the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence; (2) the three branches of the U.S. government; (3) the structure of Wisconsin's government; (4) U.S. political parties and…

A belief that teachers and the school environment cannot be neutral forces in terms of shaping attitudes and behavior, that a publicly supported school should make no apology for trying to help young people understand and incorporate into their lives those civic virtues that almost everyone agrees are important to a democracy, plus a perceived…

The central question of this book is, how can schools that are already overloaded with assignments from society find the time and techniques to produce effective citizens? Six chapters examine this problem. Chapter 1 documents the need for civic education and the problems related to providing an effective civic education. Chapter 2 explores the…

Presented at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (53d, San Francisco, February 28 - March 5, 1969).

An analysis of the treatment of political parties in four history and civics textbooks is presented. Three high school and one junior high texts, all currently in use, were examined to identify any mentioning of a political party. Variables included mention of all or both parties, the degree and locus of conflict mentioned, the context in which…