TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home-viewing tips:

* Today--”Iran and Iraq” (HIST 7-8 p.m.) traces the history of U. S. involvement with both nations and how relations deteriorated in recent decades. “Essence Awards 2000” (KTTV 8-10 p.m.) is an annual awards ceremony profiling African Americans’ achievement in science, the arts, sports and public service. hosted by Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey.

* Friday--”Empires of Industry: Leaves of Gold” (HIST 6-7 p.m.) explains how Colonial America’s earliest cash crop, tobacco, became the basis for a huge, modern industry. Also, “Vaudeville” (KCET 9-11 p.m.) reveals the origin of a theatrical style that influenced silent comedies, classic movies, early TV and some of today’s top young performers.

* Saturday--”Science & Technology Week” (CNN 11:30 a.m.-noon) reports on new technologies developed to keep prisons safe, with scientists staging mock prison riots to test their theories. Also, “Stealth Hunters” (ANML 9-10 p.m.) describes hunting styles of cheetahs and panthers. One uses blinding speed in open country and the other quiet, near-invisible stalking in bush country.

* Sunday--”The Seeds of Peace” (KNBC 6-7 p.m.). Award-winning Channel 4 reporter Bonnie Boswell highlights individuals who are trying to combat the spread of violence in schools and communities. She co-hosts with Mike Farrell. Guest reporters include Martin Sheen, Alfre Woodard and anchor Colleen Williams. Also, “On the Beach” (SHOW 8-10 p.m.) is a new movie version of author Neville Shute’s novel about atomic war in the 1960s. Armand Assante, Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown star.

* Monday--”They Drew Fire” (KLCS 2-3 p.m.). Documentary features seven American artists who were assigned by the U. S. government during World War II to document military activity in all its phases, including front-line combat. Recommended reading: “They Drew Fire” by Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Lanker with Nicole Newnham, and “Drawing Fire: A Combat Artist at War: Pacific, Europe, Korea, Indochina, Vietnam” by Howard Brodie, with introduction by Walter Cronkite.

* Tuesday--”The Good Earth” (TCM 2:30-5 p.m.). Oscar-winning movie based on a novel by Nobel Prize winner Pearl S. Buck provides an epic view of traditional life in China, where she lived as a child. Available on video.

* Wednesday--”The Source: An American Master’s Special” (KCET 9:30-11 p.m.) is a documentary by Oscar winner Chuck Workman about the bohemian subculture of the 1950s, the Beat Generation and its effect on the civil rights struggle of gays, women and minorities. Included are dramatized readings from Allen Ginsberg’s poetry by John Turturro, Jack Kerouac’s novels by Johnny Depp and William Burroughs’ novels by Dennis Hopper.

Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in collaboration with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, N. Y. Columns available at www.latimes.com/tvsmarts.