This book introduces curriculum as knowledge, curriculum as work, and curriculum as professional practice. The author discusses curriculum from theoretical and practical perspectives to acquaint readers with the study of curriculum and help them to become effective curriculum practitioners. The book: (1) Emphasizes the various dimensions of curriculum practice; (2) Illustrate the relevance of the material to both elementary and secondary school settings and contexts in "Perspective to Practice" sections; and (3) Examines current issues in separate chapters on issues and trends to give students the opportunity to explore what is happening in today's schools and curriculum. The text is targeted to masters and doctoral-level courses on Curriculum, Curriculum Development, and Curriculum Design. Contents include: (1) Introduction (Society and Schooling; The Importance of the Critical Perspective; Perspective into Practice: Domains of Knowledge in a Social Studies Lesson; Key Ideas to Guide Study); (2) The World of Curriculum; (In Search of Curriculum; Curriculum Work and Professional Practice; Creating Curriculum); (3) Knowledge Bases that Serve Curriculum (Knowledge and Theories about Curriculum; Methods and Tools for Curriculum Work; Historical Foundations of Curriculum; Social, Cultural, and Intellectual Foundations of Curriculum); (4) What Curriculum Practitioners Do (Policymaking and Planning in Curriculum; Developing and Adapting Curriculum; Implementing and Managing the Curriculum; Evaluation in Curriculum Work); and (5) Challenges of Curriculum Change (Interpreting Contemporary Curriculum Issues; Interpreting Trends in Curriculum).