Recommends organizing U.S. history courses around central ideas rather than chronological periods. Argues that this method affords a better grasp of the principal developments in the nation's history by treating issues in depth. Lists eight broad themes around which a U.S. history course can be constructed. (MJP)

Time spent by pharmacy faculty teaching specific competencies was analyzed using a database program. Results indicate half the time was used to teach competencies for initiating, evaluating, and monitoring drug therapy, one-third for drug distribution competencies, and the remainder on competencies in administration, communications, law, drug…

The motivation behind the curriculum design and evaluation procedures of the East Asian Summer Language Institute's Chinese school are discussed. Two instructional methods, learning model instruction and acquisition model instruction, are described. (23 references) (CB)

Multicultural education (MCE) is one of four major goals of the Columbus (Ohio) public schools. The district is committed to providing professional development in MCE. The article details an MCE class implemented by Ohio State University and the Staff Development and MCE departments, noting the positive feedback from a program evaluation. (SM)

Asserts that the primary goal of economics education is to help students understand the economic world around them and make more informed personal and social decisions. Reviews comparative studies of economic education and student achievement in the United States, Japan, Germany, Austria, Australia, and the United Kingdom. (CFR)

Presents a summary of research findings related to factors involved in effective economics instruction and student achievement. Finds that student academic ability and teachers training in economics are the two most important variables of students' economic knowledge. (CFR)

Discusses the role of religious education in British schools and what characteristics are appropriate for teaching this subject. Asserts that the Western concept of spiritual education is divided between a religious and a secular approach to curriculum development and instructional methods. (CFR)

Proposes ways to create a language curriculum based on children's "sensitive periods" as described by Montessori. Suggests that ages 6 through 12 are a sensitive period for using imagination. Creative expression should be an integral part of the entire curriculum, and creative expression can be stimulated through many sources of writing…

An approach to higher education curriculum that focuses on curriculum's potential to produce desired outcomes is outlined. Signs of need for such an approach, forces for change, and signs of hope in current educational trends are noted, and 11 principles for action are proposed. Principles focus on active, integrated learning and assessment. (MSE)

Reports on interviews with 18 Oregon social studies teachers about what justice is and how they teach it. Provides 13 recommendations on where to include justice in the curriculum. Concludes that adolescents should be taught about the difficulties of setting standards for social justice and to value the struggle to do so. (CFR)

Uses of computer technology by two- and four-year colleges to enhance instruction, curriculum planning, research, and college and program administration in a wide variety of disciplines are described. The descriptions focus on innovative uses of both hardware and software. (MSE)

Describes microcomputer use in an introductory sociology course. Augments course objectives with tutorials on test items. Evaluates computer integration with an experimental design comparing traditional and computerized sociology courses. Finds the computerized group outperforms the traditional group. Suggests students of all ability levels…

Reviews approaches to teaching values in elementary schools. Describes a model consistent with the core values of the United States. Recommends an elementary curriculum resting on three cornerstones: (1) caring, (2) citizenship, and (3) conscience. Points out that controversial issues must be discussed openly within such a curriculum. (CFR)

Discussion of the enhancement of second-language instruction in a unified Europe looks at education for multilingualism; curriculum design at various educational levels; early language instruction; third and additional languages; ease or difficulty of language learning based on similarity to native language; program length; cross-cultural…

Contends that pluralistic democracy relies on conflict of ideas and participative decision making. Reports on case studies of two different approaches to teaching world studies. Finds that both approaches encouraged students to participate actively, but others remained silent during the discussion. (CFR)