Education For America S Role In World Affairs

This collection of carefully argued essays examines what American students should know about world affairs in the post-cold war era. The issues which are examined are those that will continue to be debated as our schools prepare for the next century. The authors probe the complex and sometimes contradictory claims of global, peace, multicultural, and citizenship education. They offer prescriptions for change based on a strong academic core of history, international relations, government, economics, and geography, with the presumption of values consistent with America's democratic ideals. Contents: Foreword, Chester E. Finn, Jr.; Introduction, John Fonte and Andre Ryerson; A Brief History of Pre-Collegiate Global and International Studies Education, Andrew Smith; Global Education and Controversy: Some Observations, Robert Fullinwider; Teaching About the World and Our Nation's Heritage: The Relationship Between International Education and Education for American Citizenship, John Fonte; Implications of the 'New Demographics' and the 'Information Explosion' for International Education, Herbert London; International Education: The Search for Subject, Gilbert T. Sewall; International Studies in the School Curriculum, Diane Ravitch; Geography's Role in International Education, Raymond English; China: Case-Study of Textbook Failures, Andre Ryerson; What American Students Should Know About the World, Owen Harris; Conclusion, John Fonte and Andre Ryerson; Bibliography; Addendum; Index.

A fresh analysis of the study of American foreign relations history, this book shows the ways in which international education has shaped the US relationship with the world.

The United States' failure to educate its students leaves them unprepared to compete and threatens the country's ability to thrive in a global economy and maintain its leadership role. This report notes that while the United States invests more in K-12 public education than many other developed countries, its students are ill prepared to compete with their global peers. According to the results of the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), an international assessment that measures the performance of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science every three years, U.S. students rank fourteenth in reading, twenty-fifth in math, and seventeenth in science compared to students in other industrialized countries. The lack of preparedness poses threats on five national security fronts: economic growth and competitiveness, physical safety, intellectual property, U.S. global awareness, and U.S. unity and cohesion, says the report. Too many young people are not employable in an increasingly high-skilled and global economy, and too many are not qualified to join the military because they are physically unfit, have criminal records, or have an inadequate level of education. The report proposes three overarching policy recommendations: implement educational expectations and assessments in subjects vital to protecting national security; make structural changes to provide students with good choices; and, launch a "national security readiness audit" to hold schools and policymakers accountable for results and to raise public awareness.

This small volume is addressed to all who are concerned with the role of colleges and universities in the conduct of international relations and the defense of a free world. It is an introduction to the subject, and is, in many respects, a handbook intended for the use of members of the university community.

This book represents a timely exploration of the dynamics of U.S.foreign policy development. It introduces historical developments and theories of U.S. foreign policy and engages students in the politics and debates of the foreign policy process (both directly and by proxy) through innovative learning exercises. This book offers a rich understanding of the politics behind clashing perspectives towards contemporary foreign policy challenges ranging from immigration policy controversies to COVID-19 pandemic responses, climate change to the China trade war. All of these issues are presented in dynamic ways that focus on activism and engagement in the policy process—and so this text speaks directly to a new generation of college students who have mobilized to political activism. The book is intended to serve as a core text for classes on U.S. foreign policy at the 200-level or above and will appeal to a broad audience. New to the Second Edition: Provides insights on contemporary foreign policy challenges facing the Biden administration and future presidents, such as climate change, the rise of China, sanctions and trade policies, and changing U.S. engagement in the Middle East. Offers stronger theoretical foundations for the study of domestic constraints in the foreign policy decision-making process, including the power of interest groups and political polarization in Congress. Explains pedagogical treatments of online and hybrid learning applications, along with presenting new exercises to engage students both in person in the classroom and online. Presents more detailed and critical historical analyses of U.S. foreign policy, including greater attention to the U.S. as an imperial power and its implications for politics and society. Creates new and exciting active learning exercises for instructors and students, including role-playing simulations of global public health crisis management and group research projects on cybersecurity and immigration policy. Enriches the graphics and illustrations of foreign policy actors and processes in a full-color presentation. Analyzes contemporary foreign policy issues in the Trump and Biden administrations. Adds new web components and features, some authored by undergraduate students who are becoming experts in U.S. foreign policy. Includes new writing exercises and assignments designed to promote creative and critical thinking about foreign policy actors and processes.