This elective course of study for grades seven through nine is part of a total effort to revise curriculum to fit the quinmester administrative organization of schools. The intent is to equip students to meaningfully analyze current events. Emphasis is placed on understanding the complex underlying political, economic, racial, and religious causes for conflict and alternatives for resolving conflicts. The guide is divided into four sections: 1) a broad framework of goals; 2) international course content outline; 3) lists of objectives and learning activities picturing the concept and behavioral objectives for a set of learning activities that incorporates case studies of current world trouble areas such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, Divided Germany, India and Latin America; and, 4) recommended textual and alternate materials, including supplementary suggested teacher resources. Related documents are SO 002 709 through SO 002 718. (Author/SJM)