This lesson for grade 12 is designed to increase student awareness of citizen participation elements of democracy. Students assume the teacher's role and design a lesson to teach citizen participation in democracy, including methods to combat citizen apathy. Students are provided with background information, detailed instructions, on-line…

As the world grapples with increasing environmental, social, and security problems, population is rarely considered a cause or contributing factor. The relationship of population to the human condition, and to the condition of the Earth, is often subtle and complex. But population growth affects almost every aspect of life from education to…

America's substance abuse epidemic has come to rural America. Adults in small metropolitan and rural areas are just as likely as those in urban America to use and abuse illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Young teens in small metropolitan and rural areas are more likely to abuse substances than those in large metro areas. Based on a wide variety…

Because the numbers responding to the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) social issues survey were so small, any generalizations about the views of the membership of NCSS policy directions must be made with extreme caution. With this limitation in mind, survey results are discussed. (RM)

Discusses interests of various social groups in supporting trend to help students relate science to current issues and practical applications, pointing to issues in science/technology/society (STS) curricula that need to be addressed by science teachers and describing some organizational decisions that need to be made in developing STS curriculum…

Black Studies, it is suggested, should be an interdisciplinary field that will not incite fear or misgivings any more than other higher education interdisciplinary programs. A clear distinction is needed between Afro American Studies as an academic discipline and as a social answer to pressing problems. (MLW)

In the wake of the United Nations' Year of the Child, U.S. public policy affecting the welfare of children at risk is found wanting. The misguided notions underlying many official positions, along with suggested modifications based on well-researched principles of child development, are presented. (Author)

Rather than emphasizing only the virtues of American history and culture, teachers should design their social studies curricula to reflect the gap that exists between American ideals and the reality of American life. (JN)

The modern university is seen as an alien phenomenon in the Arab world, where it lacks societal support. Kuwait University is a microcosm of the Arab university with peculiar problems arising from unequal admissions standards, traditional societal values, paucity of indigenous staff, inexperienced administrators, etc. (MLW)

Describes an interdisciplinary course team taught by instructors from the sociology and drama departments. The course used dramatic literature to complement and illustrate sociological works examining such basic concepts as economic dislocation, racism, and deviance. Includes a table of the sociological works and their dramatic counterparts. (MJP)

This paper considers the legacy of racism that marks our society, arguing that critical race theory provides a framework for challenging the genetic and cultural deficit theories. Specific recommendations, based on critical race theory, to help teacher educators challenge racism and stereotyping in the classroom are presented. (SM)

Describes the Ignatian Lay Volunteer Corps (ILVC), an organization of retired people who volunteer to serve the poor by teaching and counseling. Suggests that ILVC volunteers want to help others as a way of giving back what they have been given. (AJL)

Describes the efforts of authorities to respond to the burgeoning youth culture of the 1950s. Details the censorship efforts aimed at those aspects of youth culture (comic books, rock and roll) that were viewed as dangerous and subversive. Identifies these effort within the corresponding social, political, and cultural climate. (MJP)

Reprints 11 standards for assessing quality in service learning projects from the Alliance for Service-Learning in Education Reform. Each standard provides a rationale and relevant examples. Standards include youth being involved in the planning, program requiring preparation and reflection, and project making a meaningful contribution to the…

To help future teachers understand how problems of poverty, abuse, and indifferent medical care affect children's learning, the elementary education faculty at SUNY-College at Oneonta (New York) instituted a new graduation requirement called "Early Field Experiences." Elementary education majors must complete 40 hours of field…