Addressing Social Issues in the Classroom and Beyond: The Pedagogical Efforts of Pioneers in the Field is comprised of essays
that delineate the genesis and evolution of the thought and work of pioneers in the field of social issues and education. The authors (many of
whom, themselves, are noted professors of education and who have done significant work in the field of social issues and education) delineate
and analyze the efforts (e.g., theoretical work, research, curriculum development, and teaching) of such pioneers within the larger
framework of their life-story. As a result, the reader is not only introduced to the significant work of each pioneer but valuable and often fascinating
insights into how his/her life experiences informed his/her thinking, beliefs, goals and work.
This book constitutes a rich and unusual record of the thinking and accomplishments of those luminaries who worked tirelessly in
the belief that a well-educated and well-informed populace was absolutely imperative in a democracy if the latter were to remain healthy and
vibrant.
Beyond current scholars and students, we believe that this book will be of great interest to a wide spectrum of individuals: teacher
educators who perceive the need to avail their students of the rich history, rationales and methods for incorporating the study of social issues
across the curriculum; professors who teach history of curriculum courses and/or history of education courses are likely to be drawn to the
book, both for the rich stories as well as the bounty of information found in each chapter; those who specialize in autobiographical studies in
the field of education are likely to find the book to be remarkably rich and valuable both for their own research as well as in their teaching;
secondary level teachers in science, social studies, and English who are interested in incorporating the study of social issues into the courses
they teach will glean incredibly rich insights into why and how to go about such an endeavor; and future scholars and students who care
deeply about how society impacts education, education impacts society, and how individuals and groups can have a positive impact on society
through their collective efforts are bound to find the book both fascinating and instructive.
