Reviews

Reprinted from the OAH Magazine of History
7 (Summer 1992). ISSN 0882-228X
Copyright (c) 1992, Organization of American Historians
 

At a time in the United States when the very structure, foundation, and content of education are being called into question, it is refreshing to find a publication that helps teachers deal with these problem areas. As the American educational system comes under attack from within and without, from legislatures and foreigners alike, it is important that we do not throw aside what is unique and essential to the American educational system.

Civitas: A Framework for Civic Education, one in the series of the National Council for the Social Studies Bulletins (number 86), gives classroom teachers, curriculum experts, subject area coordinators, and administrators an opportunity to delve into the essentials of what it means to be an American in 1992 and beyond. In addition, it establishes a place to gather the essentials for an American Government or Civics curriculum. The list of contributors to this volume is impressive, including authors, university professors, legal experts, and civic leaders. The text of the book, furthermore, was reviewed by a number of experts in related fields.

Civitas is designed "to help students develop a rich and varied understanding of government, public policy and citizenship in this country" (xv). This book enables its readers to better understand the process by which local, state, and national public policy is formed and shaped. The critical importance of this volume is that it provides its readers with the basic information and structure of political and economic decision-making which ultimately will prepare our nation's students to make "informed, discriminating judgments on questions that will affect their futures, as well as those of the nation and the world" (xvii).

Civitas is written as a framework for a study of American government and political action. The book is split into two major sections: a rationale that explains the basic philosophy, purpose and nature, and a statement of goals and objectives.

In Part One, Civitas deals with civic virtue. In this section, the contributors discuss the fundamental principles and values of American constitutional democracy. The book provides definitions to establish a frame of reference for the study of civic virtue. The first section describes the importance of individual rights, justice, equality, diversity, truth, patriotism, and the public good.

In Part Two, Civitas deals with civic participation. After stating the goals and objectives for the section, the book embarks on a historical look at national participation, covering such topics as voting rights, popular politics of the early republic, the history of local participation in politics as well as military participation in political action. This part of the book concludes with a very important section on participatory writing—the opportunity for students to be a part of the political decision making process.

Part Three--which contains the bulk of the material in the book (pages 91-650)--covers a wide range of topics including political authority, the nature of the state, types of government, fundamental principles and values of government in the United States, and the role of the citizen in the process. In this part of the book, a wide range of issues are discussed including morality and politics, public choice theory, ethnic and racial diversity, gender issues, popular sovereignty, constitutional government, separation of powers and checks and balances, federalism, and the separation of church and state. This part also goes into great detail about both the formal and informal institutions of the American political process, including Congress, the Presidency, the judicial system, political parties, special interest groups, television, and public opinion. The section concludes with discussion of the role of citizens, including their responsibility, their rights (both individual and group), and the various forms of participation available to them. Part Three is very thorough and the backbone of the book for the classroom teacher.

Civitas is organized and designed as a model and resource for professional educators. It does a thorough job of covering the basics including definitions, explanations of key concepts, and the presentation of the historical background and rationale for the establishment and maintenance of such principles.

The book is not for the faint of heart. At first sight, it appears to be long and tedious, almost cumbersome. At a closer look, it becomes more obvious that it is a thorough and a valuable resource tool. It is the ideal work for the teacher and curriculum expert in American Government and a noteworthy addition to every school library. The text is organized in an outline format with sentence and paragraph length explanations which are full of information helpful to the classroom teacher. The index is complete and makes using the volume very easy. I most heartily recommend Civitas as an available tool for the important job of teaching civic education to a generation of students who will need it more than ever.

Ralph Giannini
Silver Creek High School
San Jose, California

Cobblestone: The History Magazine for Young People (ISSN 0199-5197), indexed in Children's Magazine Guide, winner of Parents' Choice magazine award, is published monthly by Cobblestone Publishing Inc., 30 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458-1454, phone (603) 924-7209. $22.95 for twelve issues. Back issues can be purchased individually for $3.95, or the annual set of twelve issues, a cumulative index, and a slipcase for $44.95. A 1980-1991 index is available for $7.95.

A "History Magazine for Young People," begun in 1979, Cobblestone is a very special, highly recommended social studies magazine. Specifically designed for the eight to fourteen year-old audience, Cobblestone proves extremely valuable for older students for whom English is a second language. Each fifty-page issue is devoted to a particular theme (person, event, period, or place) in American history. Recent themes include: Annie Oak-ley, the Bill of Rights, the Cold War, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Grand Canyon. Each theme is thoroughly explored from various aspects, including non-fiction articles, historical fiction, poetry, biography, and complementary film and book bibliographies. It is generously illustrated by multiple, high-quality black and white photographs. There are also fun things to do such as puzzles, mazes, "acrostics," and other word games.

The uniqueness of Cobblestone is its varied approach to learning through stories, pictures, reviews, songs, interviews, recipes, comic strips (Cobblestone Corners), maps, artwork, definitions, games, quizzes (Ebenezer's Teasers), cartoons, calendars, and projects. By using different methods to illustrate the theme, Cobblestone weaves related people, events, places, and issues into one broad tapestry. In a recent issue devoted to African-American inventors, blueprints and pictures of inventions, as well as biographies of the inventors are provided. There is also a short play, a directory of exhibits, and a cartoon related to the theme.

In another issue on American Jews, there is a first-person account of a Russian-Jewish immigrant; an article on the Yiddish theater; an interview with a twelve-year-old boy who is studying for his bar mitzvah; and a yiddish glossary of commonly recognized terms, such as "chutzpah," and "klutz."

The in-depth treatment of each subject makes Cobblestone perfect for permanent collections, and most libraries will want to bind, particularly since indexing is available through (1) Children's Magazine Guide, and (2) cumulative indexes from the publisher. In addition, the cover of each issue is colorfully illustrated with the issue's theme, and is labeled to provide quick access to a particular issue.

A particularly useful feature in Cobblestone is "From the Archives" which refers the readers to prior issues related to the current theme. For example, in the March 1992 issue devoted to the "First Ladies" of the White House, referral is made to the November 1986 issue on Eleanor Roose-velt; the September 1985 issue on "The U.S. Mint" which describes how Martha Washington donated her silver to make the first U.S. Dollars; and the January 1988 issue on "The War of 1812" which illustrates Dolly Madison's courage during the burning of Washington.

The issue on the "First Ladies" is highly representative of Cobblestone. It features nine articles, including a chronology beginning with Martha Washington, black and white portraits, and revealing quotes. For example, from Sarah Polk (First Lady 1845-1849), "I will neither keep house, nor make butter. . . . I always take a deep interest in State and National affairs." How timely to the 1992 presidential election issues!

Regular features in most Cobblestone issues include "Dear Ebenezer" which is an "editorial" section for young readers where they may submit their comments, drawings, and poetry; "The Crow's Nest" which acts as an introduction and provides an overall view of the theme; and "Digging Deeper" which provides an annotated bibliography of books, places to visit, and films.

Cobblestone is an outstanding addition to any middle-school or public library. It is rich in ideas, challenging the student to think, and never condescending to the student's intellect. It is respectful of young people, their intelligence, and their need for thoughtful discussion. Cobblestone also provides entertainment, stimulation, enlightenment, and humor, making it an ideal gift for a young person's birthday.

Pat Young
Eunice and James L. West Library
Texas Wesleyan University