The rationale behind this book of five suggested or sample comparative units contains several elements: 1) an interdisciplinary social science approach to studying the American past, present, and future; and 2) a view of our country's history in terms of a world setting and in the light on contemporary concerns. The global comparative method suggests ways to enlarge understanding through comparison, contrast, controversy, conflicting arguments, and search for parallels and differences. On this basis these guidelines for developing units are offered: 1) use societies with similar political and economic structures; 2) use similar experiences or situations that need not be close in time; 3) use validated historical models and hypotheses; 4) use the inquiry-inductive approach rather than the recitative-expository; and, 5) seek to develop universal and contemporary generalizations. The five units suggested are: 1) The American Revolution: with the French and Russian Revolutions; 2) Multiracial Societies: with Brazil and Rhodesia; 3) Nationalism: with Non-Western societies; 4) Economic Development: with the Soviet Union, India, and China; and, 5) Intervention: the Soviet Union in Hungary, and the United States in the Dominican Republic. Extensive resources are described throughout, and additional studies are outlined: frontier movements, poverty, imperialism, confrontation between Mexico and the United States. (Author/SBE)