This article describes the evolution of the author's approach to teaching a secondary social studies methods course over an eighteen-year period. Earlier in his career, the author imposed a reflective, issues-centered approach to teaching social studies as the preferred model of teaching. As a result of a combination of his own professional growth…

The authors present a conversation among several leading social studies theorists, researchers, and practitioners on the social studies wars, or conflicts in the debate over the purposes, content, and practice of social studies in schools. Questions focus on addressing the plurality of definitions for the field, creating more effective dialogue…

Considers the taboo topics that social studies teachers avoid or de-emphasize, such as topics that tend to provoke strong emotional reactions. Addresses the reasons for the stifling of taboo topics and finds that the closer a topic is to students' lives the more likely the topic is labeled as taboo. (CMK)

Critiques Diane Ravitch's suggestions for the revival of history in the school curriculum. Characterizes her arguments as conservative and compares her to the anti-progressives of the 1950s. Calls for less emphasis on traditional history and discusses alternative conceptions of history. Examines the California History Social Science Framework. (KO)

Lists selected resources for issues centered education. Includes books about methods for issues centered education, reference and student materials for middle and high school students, and tradebooks for elementary classrooms. Lists criteria for the selection of materials that were included (presentation of alternative view, accuracy, and…

Notes the current attempt to replace social studies with U.S. history and geography. Delineates the two strands of thought in the social studies reform movement and argues that there is a strong tradition of the social studies as a unified, issue-centered field of study. (SLM)

Reviews the history of social studies as an integrated, issue-centered field of study from its inception within the progressive movement to the present. Summarizes major curricular development projects within the issues-centered orientation and speculates on the decline of the problems approach in social studies education. (SLM)

Discusses the factors that must be considered by the issue-centered advocates in order to successfully oppose the attack on social studies by those advocating U.S. history and geography at the center of the curriculum. Suggests that social studies professionals should organize and that a national clearinghouse for issue-centered materials be…

Defends the history National Standards as an excellent and inclusive guide to the broad topics and themes appropriate to a U. S. history course. Nonetheless, characterizes the Standards as pedagogically conservative. Recommends an alternative approach emphasizing critical thinking and interdisciplinary instruction. (MJP)