Examines the life of James Madison, Founding Father and "theoretic statesman." Focuses specifically on Madison's education and character, his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his civic legacy: a selfless devotion to republican government and union. (JDH)

States that because of an unclear rationale for instructional goals, the expanding environment organizational scheme results in trivial course content. Recommends that elementary social studies be guided by a citizenship education rationale. Two illustrative lessons, using story, biography, and historical narrative, are provided: Sojourner Truth…

States that social studies teachers should present the available factual information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in terms of what is happening globally and examine questions of human and civil rights raised by the disease. Provides a list of facts and discussion questions for classroom teachers. (GEA)

Provides a brief biography of D. W. Griffith, the producer of "Birth of a Nation." Includes a synthesis of reviews of this classic film and suggestions for using the recently released, inexpensive videotaped version in the secondary social studies classroom. (JDH)

Reviews several societal, institutional, and practical reasons why the new social studies of the 1960s and 70s failed to supplant traditional textbook instruction in America's public schools. Many of the theoretical underpinnings of the inquiry approach are presented along with critical comments regarding the shortcomings of established expository…

Although students are told about the principles of democracy, they get few chances to experience democratic participation. Analyzes five research efforts spanning 45 years which attempted to study democratic practices in schools and how such practices affect attitudes and behavior. Results indicate that democratic education is both possible and…

How can we fix America's floundering public schools? The conventional wisdom says that schools need a lot more money, that poor and immigrant children cannot do as well as most American kids, that high-stakes tests just produce teaching to the test, and that vouchers do little to help students while undermining our democracy. But what if the…

On May 6-7, 2006 FPRI's Marvin Wachman Fund for International Education hosted 44 teachers from 16 states across the country for a weekend of discussion on teaching about Islam. Speakers were drawn from the disciplines of religious studies, anthropology, political science, history, law, and journalism. The institute, held in Bryn Mawr, Pa., was…

This manual traces the emergence of democracy in Albania from the end of the Communist system in 1990. It deals with the concepts and practices of democratic citizenship education and emphasizes the role of education in developing and sustaining democracy. The manual is to assist educators to put together the knowledge and skills they possess with…

This unit examines the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen. It surveys the need for the participation of all citizens in the governing of the United States. Lessons explain that while the United States Constitution does not require the people of the United States to be good citizens, citizens need to work hard in order to stay free. The unit…

This report provides brief descriptions of 83 practices followed by college campuses to educate students to be active, involved citizens and to engage their institutions with their communities. The summaries, arranged alphabetically by school, were prepared by Campus Compact member presidents. A "table of contents" groups practices into the…

This publication reports on 18 months of research, debate, and deliberation by the Task Force on Higher Education and Society, convened by the World Bank and UNESCO, to bring together experts from 13 countries to explore the future of higher education in developing nations. The publication's six chapters address: (1) the long-standing problems and…

Many college mission statements convey the importance of citizenship education to prepare future leaders. However, values education often remains, at best, peripheral to the community college curriculum. This digest provides an examination of the classical and current approaches to community college values education. According to the digest,…

This book presents case studies of six "pockets of hope," democratic educational projects in which empowered students and their teachers actively engage with relevant academic and social problems. Although seemingly very different, the projects share a core commitment to democratic pedagogy and demonstrate practices consistent with…

Education for a democratic society has been a powerful, long-standing rationale for the entire public school curriculum, but the idea has special relevance for social studies education. This study used action research and qualitative case study to examine the extent to which notions of democratic citizenship developed in the personal theories of…