Examines circumstances under which teachers, as guardians of culture, might define themselves not as gatekeepers for the received wisdom of culture, but as keyholders who unmask authoritative knowledge and cultural domination. In this context, the article discusses the importance of student voice; mimetic, liberal, and critical teaching; and…

Describes a program for Russian high school students with teaching talent. Examines the program goals of (1) increasing the students' interest in becoming teachers; (2) fostering democracy in a formerly autocratic system; and (3) encouraging thought about teachers' problems. Suggests that successful teaching involves some acting talent,…

Discusses student projects and learning activities used in an Australian elementary school to teach about the United Nations. Asserts that the students viewed the UN General Assembly as a parliament during a role-playing activity. Describes the role that the school's student council played during the schoolwide project. (CFR)

Critiques views of the one-room country school experience in the Midwest states. Describes advances an alternative interpretation grounded in the social, political, and economic circumstances that impinged on local institutions, arguing that these schools may not have been the "laboratories of democracy" that conventional wisdom calls…

Surveys levels of political tolerance among 152 U.S. government teachers and 96 social studies coordinators in Texas. Investigates attitudes toward various groups (e.g., neo-Nazis), and whether respondents felt that even disliked groups should be accorded their civil liberties. Concludes majority of these educators practiced what they taught.…

Describes the origins and development of cultural pluralism in the United States. Proposes four theoretical approaches to pluralism. Concludes that coexistence multiculturalism offers the greatest potential for developing mutual understanding among many races and ethnic groups. (CFR)

Business should participate in school reform but has too narrow a perspective to guide it. Nationalizing education through comparative testing is a move to cut spending for social services, to increase accountability and efficiency without increasing financial responsibility or equity. Imposing private-sector rules on public education undermines…

Describes and discusses three explanations of academic achievement: (1) cultural deprivation theory; (2) cultural difference theory; and (3) postmodern discourse-practice. Applies these theories to multicultural education. Argues that social studies teachers must transform their thinking and create classrooms that promote democratic ideals. (CFR)

Discusses the concept of participatory citizenship in a democracy. Describes the origin and development of the Close Up Foundation, which sponsors study trips for secondary students to Washington, D.C. Asserts that the teaching methods and materials used in the program promote effective learning and citizen participation. (CFR)

Reviews the debate concerning the impact of Afrocentric education and multicultural education on U.S. history instruction and course content. Responds to criticisms of Afrocentric education by historians Diane Ravitch and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Contends that multicultural education can help recognize divisions in U.S. society and show a…

Discusses the potential impact that the America 2000 reform effort might have on social studies and citizenship education. Argues that the preoccupation of America 2000 and the business community is short-sighted. Calls for social studies educators to recommit themselves. (CF)

Provides a series of five classroom activities designed to teach about the interaction of culture and law in India. Explains that the tension between constitutional democracy and ancient traditions represents a serious challenge to India. Includes a map, four student readings, and a list of eight resources. (CFR)

Questions whether the transmission of norms and values is an appropriate function of liberal education as envisioned in a liberal constitutional state (The Netherlands). Draws a distinction between the inculcation of intellectual virtues and indoctrination. Presents a cogent analysis of the concepts and objectives of liberal education for…

Outlines and describes a fifth-grade unit of study examining issues of freedom and oppression. Students began with a biography and a presentation on an individual who had experienced discrimination. They then interviewed local people who had experienced significant freedom or oppression. Culminating activities included writing one-act plays. (MJP)

Ethiopia is a nation of more than 70 million people characterized by diverse ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Since the early 1990s Ethiopia has entered into the process of transformation towards a more civil society. This transformational process has led to numerous socioeconomic and political policy reforms. Central to reforms in the…