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Written for students participating in the Close Up government studies program, a week-long field experience in Washington, D.C., the readings in this booklet may be incorporated into social studies units on government, political science, or current events. Following an introduction to members of the Reagan Administration and the Supreme Court and to the key issues of the 98th Congress and the 1983 budget, the booklet is divided into 2 sections. Section 1, focusing on domestic policy issues, includes readings on the economy, environment, education, social welfare, civil rights, energy, urban problems, crime, transportation, agriculture, and immigration. Readings in section 2, foreign policy issues, cover the Soviet Union, defense, nuclear proliferation, international trade, world poverty and U.S. foreign aid, Western Europe, Central America and the Caribbean, China, the Arab-Israeli conflict, South Africa, and Namibia. Each reading selection includes the following components: an introduction to the issue; a list of key questions to focus reading; background, current issues, and future outlook on the issue; and a brief debate on the pros and cons of one key question raised in the reading. (LP)

This teacher's guide provides student objectives, motivational devices, terms and concepts to know, student activities, evaluation ideas, and suggestions for using an accompanying four-part videotape series. An activity for chapter 1, "Differing World Views," divides the class into groups that list U.S.-Soviet differences in economic systems, population size and makeup, location and geography, political systems, and natural resources. The groups share their findings with the class. In chapter 2, "Evolution of U.S.-Soviet Relations," students work in pairs to assume the roles of a Soviet and U.S. citizen engaged in correspondence between the years 1920-1986. Students exchange letters based upon specified topics, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War. An activity for chapter 3, "A Critical Issue: The Arms Race" helps students better understand the serious effects that perceptions and misperceptions have on one nation's dealings with another. For example, students discuss the shock and fright felt in the United States after the Sputnik launch in 1957. In chapter 4, "In Pursuit of Peace," there is an opportunity for students to participate in a mock summit meeting. The class is divided into small work groups that prepare position papers explaining their country's position on an issue. Then, the issue groups come together and negotiate on concessions or compromises that are consistent with the nation's past actions and philosophy. Realism is encouraged in the role play. (GEA)