Baekey, Carol A., and Andrea Gabriel (1991). Human Rights. Community Law Center, 249 Berea Rd., Durban, 4001, South Africa.
This book represents a curricular and a political breakthrough in South African education. Presented in both English and Zulu, it is the result of cooperation between the center and the National Institute for Citizen Education in the Law in Washington, DC The text is based upon the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is explicated by text and illustrations accompanied by challenging questions for class discussion. It is suitable for a variety of uses in grades 7-12 in all English-speaking countries.
McKay, Susan (1988). Civil Justice. New York, NY: Constitutional Rights Foundation and Scholastic, Scholastic Inc. $8.25. ISBN 0-59034-880-9.
An introduction to civil law in the U.S. The book addresses the interest and concerns of students and explains the practical steps they should take to protect their rights as citizens, consumers, workers, witnesses, or family members.
McQuoid-Mason, David, et al. (1994). Democracy for All: Education Towards a Democratic Culture. Kenwyn: Juta and Co Ltd. Juta and Co Ltd., P.O. Box 14373, Kenwyn 7790 and National Institute for Citizen Education in the Law, 711 G S., Washington, DC 20003, tel 202-546-6644.
A joint project between Lawyers for Human Rights (South Africa) and the National Institute for Citizen Education in the Law (U.S.), this innovative curriculum was initially written to prepare young South Africans for participation in democracy. The text has now been edited for publication in the U.S., where the issues it addresses are no less relevant. Students are asked to grapple with hard questions: how to create a new country and determine its bill of rights, how to balance national security against individual liberties, how to resolve conflicts nonviolently. Unlike many American curricula, which emphasize civil and political rights, Human Rights for All gives equal importance to social and economic rights.
Out of the Silence: Fighting for Human Rights (1992). Chicago: Chuck Olin Associates. Chuck Olin Associates, 11 East Hubbard, Chicago, IL 60611, tel 312-822-9552.
This 60-minute documentary weaves together live footage, still photographs, key passages from documents, and presentations by human rights activists and former prisoners of conscience. The film uses the human rights situations in Czechoslovakia and Guatemala to highlight issues. It is both informative and moving, an excellent resource for use in secondary classrooms as a vehicle for conveying and raising human rights concerns. Subjects covered are the Universal Declaration, the impact of the Cold War, how the UN added formal covenants that gave the declaration legally binding force, and the role of national and international nongovernmental organizations. A teachers guide is included.
Shiman, David (1993). Teaching Human Rights. Denver: Center for Teaching International Relations. $29.95. ISBN 0943804-79-5. Center for Teaching International Relations, University of Denver, 2201 South Gaylord St., Denver, CO 80208, tel 303-871-3106, fax 303-871-2906.
A comprehensive curricular resource for the secondary level. Complete revision of the 1988 edition. It is rooted in and inspired by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights with activities focusing on political, civil, social, and economic rights. Activities include "An African Perspective on Human Rights," "Crossword Justice," "Responsibilities of Youth," and "The Holocaust Through Literature." Organized around issues and topics, it provides ample background content, handouts, and all that is needed for more than two dozen teaching units. All well-constructed, explained clearly, and well-documented. Grades 7-adult.
Simon, Ken (1993). We: Lessons on Equal Worth and Dignity, the United Nations and Human Rights. Minneapolis: United Nations Association of Minnesota. $14.95. UNA-MN, 1929 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454, tel 612-333-2824.
Description of contents similar to elementary version. Several special features: activities on ethnocentric/ethnorelative thought and behavior, racism and the First Amendment, the power of language, symbol and music, a study of the Peace School in the Middle East, and an ongoing diary assignment reflecting on ones own "tolerance" development. Grades 7-12.
United Nations (1991). Teaching about Human Rights. New York: Department of Public Information, United Nations, Room S-955, New York, NY 10017.
A compilation of readings and classroom examples on various aspects of human rights with a special emphasis on the rights of the child. A companion video "About the United Nations: Human Rights" is also available. A major theme of the activities is discrimination and taking action against it. The UN and related agencies are also explored and guidelines are provided on how to initiate a Human Rights Society. This material is suitable for upper elementary as well as secondary students.
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