This chapter describes assessment strategies as applied through a course redesign in an undergraduate Social Problems course that features local, national, and international topics. The alignment between the assessment strategies used in this course and the pedagogical improvements implemented is intentionally directed at the development of…

Social studies professionals advocate linking discipline-based content to citizenship learning goals. However, research suggests that students rarely encounter inquiry-based instruction in their geography coursework and have few opportunities to explore how geography impacts civic decision making. In this article, we present a problem-based…

Have you ever avoided discussing controversial issues in the classroom? Teachers report often avoiding these types of discussions due to concerns about the unpredictability of student reactions, accusations of trying to push a political agenda, and insufficient knowledge or skills to work through complex issues. Debates, however, have been shown…

Considers how a critical literacy perspective encourages readers to use language as a tool for interrogating and critiquing the difficult things that happen in the world around them. Reports the findings of five teacher education interns who explored the use of critical literacy text sets with elementary and middle school children. Describes…

Outlines some ways in which schools in different countries have incorporated career guidance in their curriculum. Uses a conceptual model to examine the changing role of career guidance in Great Britain. Explores implications of this model. Makes comments on the impact of world economics crises and of various sociopolitical aims on careers…

Describes the community participation facet of the eleventh-grade social studies curriculum for British Columbia. Proposes a four-stage model to identify, study, and propose recommendations about a community issue or problem. Suggests that social action based on empirical research improves social studies instruction. (CFR)

Argues that the behavioral or "human" sciences are fundamentally different in scope and intent from the natural sciences. Describes the use of controversial topics in undergraduate courses and provides a four-step process. Recommends using Karl Popper's falsification theory to help students think critically about issues. (CFR)

A proposal is made for a secondary teacher education program designed to help prospective teachers to function effectively with pupils in a culturally diverse society. This program offers education majors on the secondary level the opportunity to select: 1) courses which reflect and support concepts and practices in multiculturalism; 2) courses…

Elements of the Japanese educational system were examined to determine if they could be incorporated into U.S. practices. Research was reviewed in five areas, and annotations for each section were organized chronologically beginning with the most recent. The five areas covered were: (1) differences in test scores of achievement and cognitive…

Presented are the goals of the Marine Social Studies Project of the Curriculum and Research Development Group at the University of Hawaii. The successful implementation of the project in various states and a summary of participant reactions to a workshop are discussed. (SA)

Describes how a system approach, often used in instructional systems design, was applied to the solution of a societal problem, i.e., how to enable small communities with limited resources to carry out successful substance abuse prevention programs involving training and education. Needs assessment is discussed and curriculum design is described.…

Describes a secondary course in which cost benefit analysis is used as a basis for decision making about social issues. Explains how students were divided into task groups and assigned roles corresponding to local organizations. Includes data sheets, questions, and recommended instructional resources. (CFR)

This report describes a three-year project at Fordham University (New York) to develop three core courses for a new Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program for students seeking an advanced, critical, and multidisciplinary approach to contemporary social and ethical issues. During the first year a multidisciplinary planning committee…

Claims that early childhood education programs in Australia have been dominated by ideas and practices introduced from elsewhere and only in recent years have alternative paradigms existed. Provides an overview of the development of early childhood programs in Australia, describes the context in which early childhood education curriculum has…

Maintains that empirical curriculum development (evaluating a curriculum as one develops it) can be a useful tool for drug abuse prevention efforts. Presents a model of a systemic process of empirical development that considers variables such as manipulation checks, interest, belief changes and perceived helplessness. Discusses research…