In this article Sarita Cargas suggests that getting honors students used to analyzing controversies will contribute to their developing a disposition toward critical thinking. She goes on to say that the value of teaching critical-thinking skills complements the movement of many honors programs toward teaching more than just disciplinary content.…

Discusses the debate about the presentation of world problems in textbooks. Argues that teachers need to be informed about the issues and the depth that can be provided by an interdisciplinary inquiry. Suggests that most mathematics and social studies teachers should take part in a mutual inquiry of world problems. (DK)

The author demonstrates how to teach a college political science course on the Arab-Israeli conflict in an objective, unbiased way. Objectivity is important because of the obvious biases and the nature of this controversial issue. (JR)

Rather than just becoming a source of intense frustration and a symbol of America's supposed weakness of will, the Iranian hostage crisis could have led to greater interest in a culture different than students' own, American foreign policy and how it is achieved, world religions, and media coverage of crises. (Author/RM)

This document, a handbook for teaching peace education, is for use as part of a carefully planned strategy to achieve both the substantive and normative goals of peace education. Objectives include knowledge of the causes of violence and injustice and the possibilities of transcending them and attitudes favoring the behavioral and structural…

To illustrate the incorporation of liberal arts values into the speech communication curriculum, this paper presents a rationale for creating a public speaking course that emphasizes the analysis of current critical issues. The paper argues that by requiring students to speak on important issues, rather than on personal topics, they will need to…

Nuclear war education has become a topic of concern among educators who, on one side, see it as an essential component of undergraduate education or, on the other, see it as political indoctrination dominated by direct and indirect Soviet interests. This study assessed the affective impact of an intensive (eight hours per day for five straight…

The main impetus for peace education is the arms race, which places peace education in the conflict between conservatives advocating increased nuclear deterrence and liberals supporting nuclear disarmament. In the United States, education for peace is still in its infancy. Other developed nations, such as the Scandinavian countries and to a lesser…

Calls for more and better teaching about the Vietnam War in secondary schools and colleges. Offers approaches to teaching about the War and presents questions designed to stimulate students' thinking. Describes the use of simulations. States that the discussion of controversial issues makes class more stimulating for both student and teacher. (KO)

The findings of a study that examined the impact of peace studies courses at the college and university level upon students is reported. The study involved 260 undergraduate students at 3 midwestern universities. At the beginning of each course, students filled out a questionnaire; at the end of the course, students were given identical…

Presents the results of an interview which asked 15 South Africans what United States teachers should be teaching about South Africa. Correlates the eight major points made by the South Africans with the contents of the theme articles in this issue of SOCIAL EDUCATION. Includes a list of curriculum materials which covers the issues teachers should…

Discusses the introduction of environmental philosophy into courses on the philosophical aspects of social and world problems, philosophical theology, modern European ideas, and moral philosophy. Describes some of the opportunities for, and constraints upon, the teaching of environmental philosophy in British and American universities. (TW)

Discusses some of the contributing factors and chemical reactions involved in the production of acid rain, its effects, and political issues pertaining to who should pay for the clean up. Supplies questions for consideration and discussion. (RT)

Describes research conducted on the organization of information from many disciplines to teach social issues raised by nuclear technology. States that the social sciences provided the organizational base for most courses examined, courses emphasized moral responsibility and political choice, and syllabi emphasized technological, strategic, and…

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. This monograph is an attempt to analyze the environmental improvement efforts since that time, with emphasis on environmental education and environmental studies. It is claimed that environmental policies developed over the past 17 years have failed to incorporate adequately the human dimension in…