For the goal of developing international understanding we shall have to include in the curriculum the living ways, culture and history of other people. Through this subject we have to explain to the children their contributions in the growth of human civilization.
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Any kind of exaggeration will be harmful. The feeling of internationalism may be developed through the study of history, geography, literature and scientific developments of other countries.
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Much depends upon the skillfulness of the teacher in presenting the truth about another country in an unbiased manner. The teacher should adopt an international outlook in his presentations of ideas in the class.
In the primary classes knowledge about the living ways, culture and main occupations of people of another nation may be given. Particular attention should be paid on human geography. Within human geography, the life of man, the geographical condition of his land and trade etc. are included.
Thus human geography will explain how the people of another part of the earth live. We come to know about the general activities and policies. Through these subjects the nature of mutual interdependence may also be explained.
The feeling of friendship for people of other lands may also be developed through teaching of geography. Thus it will be quite helpful in developing international understanding.
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History may also help us in developing international understanding. History is not only a means for generating nationalism. In teaching history for international understanding we have to concentrate on social and cultural aspects rather than on battles, wars and strife’s amongst kinds and rulers.
In history we have to incorporate matters relating to humanity as a whole. In the history curriculum we have to give a place to the world history in order that the students may understand and respect international relations. The social moral awakening of various nations should be explained to the students.
Students’ attention should be focused on the ideals of great personalities of the world. They should be told that scientific inventions, arts and literatures created by various persons belong to the entire humanity and not only to the particular land from where they were originated. History is sure to be a powerful instrument for developing international understanding.
Literature too is a good means for developing an international outlook. In fact, literature of any place belongs to the entire humanity, because if any place belongs to the entire humanity, because if deals with the happiness and misery, success and failures, victory and defeat which represent the anguish and unrest of the entire human race.
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If students are thus made aware of such ideas about humanity, they will be imbued with the feeling of internationalism. Art, too, depicts human feelings. So it should be also being regarded as a good means for developing international understanding.
Science and economics may also be used for developing internationalism. War, famine, earthquake or any other natural calamity in any part of the world has its inevitable impact on other countries.
In- teaching of economics it may be explained to the students how food problem in a country may be solved through international co-operation. In the science class the students may be told how various scientific inventions have bound the entire human race into one relationship and mutual interdependence. Thus in the teaching of various subjects there is enough scope for developing international understanding in students.