GOALS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES: QUESTIONS ON 1)BARR, BARTH, SHERMIS and 2)Bennett

1) Does all social studies teaching have the goal of citizenship (however that is defined)?

2) If citizenship is the defining goal, how do we choose between different conceptions of citizenship?

3) Bennett suggests that "the loss of confidence in the country's institutions" is in part due to history not being given a central place in the curriculum. Do you agree? Explain your answer.

HIGH SCHOOL AS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:QUESTIONS ON SIZER & WIGGINTON

Sizer portrays high schools in a fairly negative light:

He questions the way schooling is structured by the clock and the lack of connection between subjects.

He contends that too often little importance is attached to developing students’ thinking.

He describes high school students as "all too often docile, compliant and without initiative."

Do you agree with these criticisms? Include your ideas on how high schools could be improved.

SUCCESS FOR ALL?:QUESTIONS ON GILBERT & GAY

1) Do you agree with Gilbert & Gay's analysis of a cultural conflict between the culture of the school and the culture of poor urban blacks, as an important factor affecting the educational outcomes for black students?

2) Gilbert and Gay identify four areas of cultural conflict: learning styles, interactional or relational styles, communication styles, and perceptions of involvement. Do you support their analysis that these are areas of cultural conflict with the white middle class norms of schools?

3) Should schools(teachers and principals) work together with members of the black community to achieve a more supportive relationship between the two cultures?

PERSPECTIVES IN TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES:QUESTIONS ON RAVITCH, HILLIARD & BANKS

1) With which of the three views of multicultural education (Ravitch, Hilliard, Banks) do you agree?

2) Ravitch states that US society is racially & ethnically diverse. In arguing in support of teaching the "common culture" how does she explain who decides which views will be accepted as constituting the "common culture?"

3) Ravitch cites the existence of different types of ethnic foods as evidence of a common culture. If you were a member of a minority racial group what other "evidence" would you look for to decide if the culture included you i.e. that you were a part of the common culture.

4) How do you reconcile the views that multiculturalism is divisive (Ravitch) and multicultural education is "designed to reduce race, class and gender divisions in the US and world" (Banks)

PERSPECTIVES:QUESTIONS ON ZINN

1. Do you agree with Zinn's argument that History has been written to present the views of those in power?

2. Zinn's position in teaching history is to present the views of ordinary people or the "underdogs." Do you agree with this alternative? In teaching history how are we to respond to the issues of perspective and "truth" raised by Zinn?