Constitutional Literacy

Book excerpt: From the perspective of constitutional law, this volume reconciles the conflicting claims of educational reformers who demand a curriculum for national unity and those who call for multiculturalism. The first part of the book describes the educators' opposing views about core curriculum and the century-long history of the debate. The second part of the book rephrases the debate into constitutional terms and concludes that a core social studies curriculum that stresses freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and equality would satisfy the demands for both unity and diversity. Beginning with the insight that schools should teach conflict as well as consensus, the book outlines the features of the U.S. curriculum for constitutional literacy. Social studies and law-related studies should not be taught as static and harmonious knowledge but rather as a chaotic set of conflicts that continue to shape the present world. The book concludes with extensive notes and an index of key terms. (JD)