1TV Smarts

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

* Today--”Beyond Barbed Wire” (KCET 10-11 p.m.) Documentary about veterans of the Japanese American battalion that fought in Europe during World War II and became the most decorated military unit in the U.S. Army while their families were interned as enemy aliens in the U.S. Pat Morita narrates.

* Friday--”20th Century With Mike Wallace: The Structure of DNA” (HIST 4-5 p.m.) Documentary describes the discovery of the structure of a substance that transmits genetic information from one generation of organism to the next. Recommended reading: “The Double Helix” by James Watson.

* Sunday--”CBS News Sunday Morning: Papa’s Place” (KCBS 7:30-9 a.m.) An episode featuring the life and work of Ernest Hemingway was taped at the author’s home in Cuba. Charles Osgood anchors. “Inside America’s Military Academies’ (DISC 8-11 p.m.) Documentary series about the lives of men and women at U.S. military academies. “Joan of Arc” (KCBS 9-11 p.m.) Historical reenactment of the life of the 16-year-old girl who led French resistance to the English occupation and was burned at the stake. Leelee Sobieski stars. Part 2 airs Monday 9-11 p.m. Recommended reading: “Joan of Arc,” Angela Barrett’s book for young readers (Knopf 1998).

* Monday--”MacArthur: Destiny” (KCET 9-11 p.m.) Part 1 of two-part documentary describes Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s complicated half-century career as a U.S. combat leader and defacto military dictator of Japan following World War II. Part 2, “MacArthur: The Politics of War,” airs Tuesday on KCET, 9-11 p.m.

* Wednesday--”Voyage to the Milky Way: Leaving Earth” (KCET 8-10 p.m.) This documentary about public versus private interests in space exploration raises issues of real estate ownership, colonization policy, tourism and commercial space launches.

Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, associate director for teacher education, California State University. Columns available at https:/www.latimes.com/tvsmarts.