The Interplay of Curriculum and Context: Conceptions of Social Studies Across Time and Place

• In Event: Social Studies Curriculum: Standards, Testing, and Curriculum Enactment

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of social studies in two nations: Canada and the United States. The paper begins by reviewing social studies’ historical development and major trends in the United States. After which, a comparative case study describes how social studies has developed in one international location (the site of the AERA conference in 2012). This is followed by a general discussion of the findings that explores how some concepts travel across international borders and the impact that social, political and economic contexts play in course conceptualization and development.

Authors

• Catherine A. Broom, The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

• Ronald W. Evans, San Diego State University