Explores the historiography of the social studies curriculum in the United States since the depression as presented by three educators who were most responsible for establishing a widely accepted social studies framework--Henry Johnson, Rolla Tryon, and Edgar Wesley. Topics discussed include characteristics of their view of the development of the…

Explores the connections between language, curriculum theory, and social studies. Six language modes--descriptive, explanatory, controlling, legitimating, prescriptive, and affiliative--are defined, and their use in classrooms and social studies curricula discussed. The author suggests that this type of linguistic analysis be used as a basis for…

Sets an agenda for improving instructional research conducted with classical quantitative experimental or quasi-experimental methodology. Includes guidelines regarding the role of a social perspective, adequate conceptual and operational definition, quality instrumentation, control of threats to internal and external validity, and the use of…

Reports results of a survey of professional literature, curriculum guides, textbook advertisements, and newspaper articles from World War II era in order to assess response of social studies educators to crisis of World War II and effect of the war on the social studies curriculum. Concludes that rapid curriculum change resulted in response to the…

Discusses a study of the views of social education professionals and elementary social studies teachers on elementary social studies education. Reports many areas of agreement between the two groups and mostly minor points of disagreement. Concludes that social education goals would be better served by greater understanding between the two groups.…

Summarizes the burgeoning literature on teacher cognition, focusing on teachers as mediators of the social studies curriculum. Describes teachers as professionals who bring intellectual and moral agency to their work with children, the social studies curriculum, and the milieu of schooling. Reviews three studies which represent this research…

Presents Rugg's educational philosophy and his materials in a descriptive overview; discusses his designs for a new social studies field; examines the process of curriculum development practiced by Rugg and his team of educators and authors; and draws parallels between the Rugg product and the projects of the 1960's. (Author/JK)

States that World War I served as a catalyst for rapid change in the teaching of history, geography, and current events. Indicators of change were found in professional journals such as THE HISTORY TEACHER'S MAGAZINE. Concludes that post-World War I social studies was more like our current curriculum than that which existed prior to the War.…

Identifies concepts and findings in cognitive psychology and cooperative learning relevant to teaching and learning higher cognitive skills. Derives implications from research to use as criteria for evaluating history and social science instruction programs. Critiques three models for teaching intellectual skills in the social studies curriculum.…

Reports on a citation analysis study of the characteristics of knowledge included in the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning." Finds that the field relies largely upon its own scholarship, rather than drawing on the social sciences as its knowledge base. (CFR)

Discusses research into high school economics teachers' attitudes about U.S.-Japan trade policy and teaching about Japan. Compares teachers' and general public's responses to Harris poll on U.S.-Japan trade relations. Reports that, although 91 percent of teachers believe they should teach about Japan, only 53 percent spend 2-5 class periods on…

Describes the structure and philosophy of the National History Curriculum in England, which went into effect in September 1991. Argues that its mechanistic approach and assessment program has little to do with realities of the classroom or students' historical understanding. Presents an alternative method for assessing students' historical…