John Dewey and the Dawn of Social Studies

Founding documents-namely the 1916 Report on Social Studies-is the focus of John Deweyand the Dawn of Social Studies: Unraveling Conflicting Interpretations of the 1916 Reportwhich examines the Report in order to determine how it has been interpreted and regarded overtime. The underlying question involved is: Which interpretation or interpretations mostembodies the intent goals and purpose of the 1916 Committee? Key members of the 1916committee have been identified for extended research and analysis. One additional individualfrequently quoted throughout the Report John Dewey received special consideration owing to his stature and influence in the U.S. andthroughout the world. The wide variety of interpretations was examined within an organizational framework utilized to discuss andanalyze the broad spectrum of interpretations that exist. This examination encompassed the existing viewpoints the meaning and intentof the 1916 committee as well as the social and political aspects of the era. The overarching intent of founding documents in this casethe 1916 Report is to make sense of the various scholarly interpretations and offer insights as to whether or not a consensus of opinionamong scholars exists. Like all important founding documents whose authors have long since passed through the veil of history butwhose work continues to influence we as scholars social studies and history educators and curriculum and instruction researcherswant to know whose ideas are at the forefront of social studies-one of the most contested academic fields of study in America.