Connects the concept of diversity to the symbiotic relationship between individuality and community in the United States. Maintains that cultural awareness is a valid and realistic response to global interdependence and changing demographics. Criticizes the notion of ethnic pluralism as a "balkanizing" influence on communities and the…

Presents suggestions for making social studies interesting and motivating to students. The first article offers six strategies to make lessons dynamic. Several other articles go into the classroom to see how teachers are making social studies real to their students. Resources for further information are included. (SM)

Analyzes both book and film versions of "The Firm" and "Jurassic Park" to explore the rhetorical textures of incivility that contemporary audiences generally appear to share and enjoy as entertainment but abjure and revile as politics. Notes that these postmodern performances celebrate public absence and flight to the private…

Asserts that social studies teacher educators can develop future teachers' commitment to student service learning. Describes and reports on a study of a community service-learning program for elementary preservice social studies teachers. (CFR)

Reports results of a 1991 survey of high school students to determine whether student opinions about good citizenship had changed since a 1987 study. Reports that students perceived good citizenship as the ability to make wise decisions and be concerned for others. Concludes that students consider responsibility, ability to question, and moral…

To study democratic participation in small town schools, educators, policymakers, and students were interviewed and observed. Presents data on citizen involvement, administrator-teacher collaboration, teacher collegiality, student voice, and cooperative learning. The democracy found had little to do with academic life. Presents recommendations to…

Citizen participation in vocational education has two broad objectives: the development of individuals to the limit of their capacity, and the development of the community to improve the quality of life. Argues for a balance among administrators, school boards, and community participants based upon common interests, goals, and resources. (AF)

Addresses theories of organizational effectiveness, a multivariate model, and determinants for effectiveness of local school citizens' participation organizations in a metropolitan public school system by surveying 52 citizen participants. Resource acquisition and internal process effectiveness are inversely correlated with perceived need for…

Presents a program for making oral history real to elementary children by sponsoring a senior citizens' tea. Describes the experiences of the children in preparing and giving the tea. Discusses the program's benefits of enhancing the store of information about community history and oral history and promoting student use of language in many forms.…

Describes how the Civic Achievement Award Program, a new initiative of the Close Up Foundation, combines reading, writing, research, and community service in teaching citizenship to fifth through eighth grade students. (PRA)

Contends that the best way to learn about citizenship is by discussing real societal issues that are connected to student interests. Maintains that a democratic classroom environment also provides an opportunity for practicing civic values. Provides four guidelines for establishing community service projects in the schools. (CFR)

A young woman educated in North America who came to Chile to teach experiential environmental education realized that she would have to reconcile her educational ideals with the reality of Chilean culture, which does not support questioning, critical thinking, gender equality, democratic participation, or self-directed learning--the underpinnings…

Describes a college-level course that uses classic texts, such as Plato's "The Republic" and Thomas More's "Utopia," to consider concepts related to the "good society." Expands this initial approach to include consideration of a postmodernist perspective. This perspective encourages consideration of texts and ideas…

The Anthropology Department at Western Michigan University has sponsored an annual archaeological field school since the mid-1970s. Over the past decade, students have worked with community and government organizations, learning to apply archaeological methods to real world problems to preserve and interpret significant heritage sites. They come…

A core component of Legacy's Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use is the ability of state and local initiatives to empower youth to effect change in their communities. The authors' conceptual framework proposes that youth empowerment is an outcome of the process by which youths become active participants in local efforts. Youths are…