This guide is designed to replace the ignorance, misinformation, and negative stereotypes that many students hold about the Soviet Union and its peoples with a reasoned and rational outlook based on critical thinking and class activities. The introduction to these activities provides background and a rationale for teaching about the Soviet Union.…

Science and religion have been referred to as the two strongest general forces which influence humankind. This document contains the proceedings of a conference which was held to address some of the relationships and controversies surrounding these topics. Included are the texts of the major papers presented at the conference. These are: (1)…

In this booklet, one of a series intended to apply economic principles to major social and political issues of the day, it is argued that government regulation of business has produced disappointing results, as evidenced by the steady rise of inflation rates in the 1970's, continuing unemployment, declining labor productivity, and increases in…

One of a series of secondary level teaching units presenting case studies with pro and con analyses of particular legal problems, the document consists of a student's lesson plan, a teacher's lesson plan, and a lawyer's lesson plan for a unit on abortion. The lessons are designed to expose students to the Supreme Court's decision concerning…

Activities for teaching about law in social studies classrooms are presented. Six generalizations have been identified to enable students to conceptualize law and justice and consider the ways in which law and order have been interpreted by different societies at different times in history: (1) society is organized rather than formless, (2) social…

Each year, the journal "Social Education" contains an annotated bibliography of notable children's trade books in the field of social studies, evaluated and selected by the Book Review Subcommittee of the National Council for the Social Studies-Children's Book Council Joint Committee. This second compilation represents a two-year compilation…

In the last analysis, the school curriculum is under the control of the local education authority and of the people who elect that authority. Looking ahead in the social studies field, it seems evident that social studies teachers will have to accept a task of community education in addition to their task of classroom education. Teachers will have…

Value conflicts are a basic part of social studies instruction; however, the inclusion of these conflicts in social education presents several obstacles: 1) inadequate teacher preparation; 2) stultifying student teaching situations; 3) censor-ridden communities and fearful school administrations; 4) conforming teachers; and, 5) a lack of knowledge…

A realistic and challenging teaching of civics is needed in an age of increased concern of man for his fellow men. Textbooks are inadequate because of their emphasis on conclusions and judgments. Controversial issues must be submitted to critical research and critical thinking in the classroom. To promote understanding the uniqueness of American…

Having a twofold purpose, this booklet serves as an instructional guide for teachers and as a text for junior high students. Emphasis is upon students learning to think reflectively about major issues facing a Democratic society and to analyze various claims that they read and hear everyday in the world around them. An objective of the study is to…

Presents a scheme for a one-year course of study in Science, Technology and Society that can be easily adapted. Includes a listing of course goals, topic areas, and instructional strategies and techniques. Provides examples of activities and descriptions of four courses in Science, Technology and Society. (ML)

Humanities courses in the discussion format can clarify existential problems of the human condition that face students. The craft of teaching lies in assisting the learner out of ignorance into an increased awareness of what it means to be humanly alive. The teacher as catalyst is described. (MLW)

Gives the background history and chemistry of modern day chemical warfare from World War I to the present. Provides discussion questions to stimulate deeper thinking on the issue. Contains a discussion activity called "Can New Chemical Weapons Lead to Humane Warfare?" (CW)

Describes some of the population education efforts currently underway in school and non-school situations in China, India, Indonesia, Maldives, the Philippines, and Vietnam. (TW)

Describes a project that involved an eighth-grade advanced English class in learning about banned books and censorship with the hope that students would learn enough about a highly controversial subject to be able to form intelligent options. (EL)