Employing a theoretical perspective from the critical sociology of education, this article identifies a curriculum problem in human rights education (HRE) in schools and suggests strategies to solve it. The main problem is HRE's lack of an "episteme"--a disciplinary structure created in specialist communities--and, related to this, the…

Our democracy is in crisis. Both political trust and a shared standard of truth are broken. In this book, Walter Parker shows why and how civic education can help. Offering a centrist approach suitable for a polarized society, Parker focuses on two linked curriculum objectives: disciplinary knowledge and voice. He illustrates how classroom…

Presents a critical commentary on "Toward an Aristocracy of Everyone" by Parker and Zumeta in the same issue. Comments on the strengths and weaknesses of proposals for public policy curricula in high schools, especially as they are able to contribute to citizenship education. Parker and Zumeta respond to these observations. (DSK)

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…

Argues that, with the increasing diversity of the U.S. population, education needs to respond by figuring out a meaningful way to embrace values of civic unity and cultural diversity at the same time. Discusses problems encountered in addressing diversity within civic education and means to bridge the gap. (DSK)

States that while school's purpose is to educate citizens for a democratic community, they have yet to implement a K-12 curriculum for civic participation. Contends that schools can promote citizen participation by (1) helping students acquire knowledge of history and politics, (2) conducting schools as communities, and (3) providing opportunities…

Used Cultural Futures Delphi procedures to interview and survey a multinational panel of 182 scholars, practitioners, and policy leaders from 9 countries to develop a curriculum geared to the development of world citizens prepared to deal with global crises and trends identified by the panel. Outlines the curriculum. (SLD)

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…