Participation in Service activities can be a vital component to civics and social studies education. The sources selected for this topic ERIC bibliography on civics, social studies, and services are intended to aid practitioners in thinking about the developing service activities in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Divided into three…

This paper argues that there is a near-complete absence of the ideals of democracy from the rhetoric and results of those who make, influence, and implement educational policy. Tied to this is the assertion that any loss of the educational ideal constitutes a loss of democratic ideal. The connection between education and liberal democracy is…

Technical communicators can act as educators, using their skills at bridging the gap between technology producers and consumers to show people what they can do with the new technology of computer-mediated communication (CMC), which is widely expected to bring about great social change. If CMC is to succeed where television failed at educating and…

This essay traces the history of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment freedoms of assembly and petition--the "right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." These freedoms had their origins in English law and were included in a number of colonial and then state constitutions…

Noting that one way to break boundaries that separate one person from another is to use the writing experience to identify and analyze values, this paper presents guidelines for defining values, discussing values, and teaching about values. Teaching and discussion aids are provided to enhance the examination of narratives and biographies, which…

A recurrent refrain in education is that a restructuring initiative's success hinges on the extent to which the school staff shares goals. An examination of this notion, called the "consensus thesis," is provided in this paper. The report draws on findings taken from a study of two English secondary schools that developed provisions for…

This policy essay urges institutions of higher education to meet the needs of the public by creating more public space on their campuses. It briefly reviews the relationship between these institutions and the citizenry since colonial times, notes renewed efforts by Americans to band together for common public purposes, and reports a study which…

Dedicated to discussing the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, this conference report presents the texts of six speeches. The presentations include: "Return to First Principles: The Philosophical and Historical Roots of the Bill of Rights" (A. E. Dick Howard); "How Do We Deal with First Principles?" (Herbert Atherton);…

This paper describes the development of a character education program that is based on the concept of a "whole village partnership." The partnership was formed by a retiring chief executive officer (CEO) of a major corporation, who sought ways to help his community rededicate itself to the "core" values of democracy. The project is supported by a…

Examines and questions the child and universal adult suffrage, justifying the child's exclusion, establishing criteria for voter competence, evaluating the competence of children, and chronological age as a criterion. Journal available from Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212. (ND)

Using cartoons and comic strips to teach the concept of social class and newspapers to teach economic principles are suggested classroom activities for elementary and secondary courses. A lesson plan for teaching democratic values is also included. (JR)

Forty years after the establishment of democracy in Italy, democratic values need to be reinforced in the younger generations. This paper discusses democracy in post-World War II Italy and specifically addresses: (1) dissenting political parties' activities; (2) a qualitative change in political participation; and (3) the Italian perception of…

The phenomenon of anti-Americanism is presented as an assortment of apparently disparate expressions of hostility toward U.S. society which combine to reinforce one another. Chapter 1 discusses what is not anti-Americanism, including: (1) opposition to particular U.S. policies or administration; (2) reassessment by foreign publics and elites of…

Explains the Kohlberg moral stages in moral development, discusses the aims of moral and civic education, then describes the continuing experimental work at the Harvard Center for Moral Education. (Author/DW)