Discusses the increasing availability of law, justice, and legal history as a first-year college course. Explains that the course is an interdisciplinary one, mostly taught by political scientists, sociologists, historians, and lawyers. Reviews available college and law school textbooks that could be used in the course. (SG)

Cognitive science has recently emerged as a new interdisciplinary field incorporating parts of psychology, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and linguistics. Its goal is to bring the theoretical and methodological resources of the contributing disciplines to bear on an integrated investigation of thought, meaning, language, perception,…

Given the widespread use and success of cross-functional teams in industry and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business's focus on the importance of interdisciplinary education, many business schools have incorporated interdisciplinary elements into their curricula. This study examined current student and alumni perceptions of the…

College interdisciplinary programs that focus on student writing are reviewed, and research and criticisms of these programs are briefly addressed. Features of 12 interdisciplinary programs emphasizing writing at the undergraduate level are summarized. The following are among the conclusions offered: (1) a growing number of higher education…

Discusses environmental education (EE) in Japan by examining the historical background, the conservation stage (1947-1960), the Kogai stage (1960-1975), the development stage (1975-present), EE research, and environmental lectures as an effective interdisciplinary subject for undergraduates. Kogai is defined as harmful or unpleasant effects on…

Linguistics, as one of the cognitive sciences, has much to offer the teaching of basic science, i.e., the teaching of how to ask and investigate interesting questions. Linguistics is particularly well-suited for teaching about the process of "doing" science because the methodology appropriate to the study of language from a generative…

The teaching of physics as an integral part of an undergraduate oceanography course is described. A general outline of oceanography and the corresponding physics topics is given. The objectives, organization, and difficulties of such a course are discussed. (CW)

Discussed is a series of lectures designed to illustrate the use of general organic chemical principles in molecular biology, introduce current research in interdisciplinary areas to the beginner, increase interest in organic chemistry, and bridge the gap between traditional organic chemistry, biology, and the consumer. An outline is presented.…

Lehman College (New York) and Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center's labor union cooperate in training health care workers to function as members of interdisciplinary health care teams. Undergraduate training is made available in social work, nursing, and health services administration. Retention rates, academic achievement, and student…

The idea of order in geometry is explored using the experience of assignments given to undergraduates in a college geometry course "From Space to Geometry." Discussed are the definition of geometry, and earth measurement using architecture, art, and common experience. This discussion concludes with a consideration of the question of whether…

Linguistics is on the verge of becoming an experimental discipline; an undergraduate major tailored to reflect this can attract a wider range of students, relate linguistics subject matter to the real world in a more exciting way, challenge students to address more deeply the problems of philosophy and philosophy of science than in some other…

Linguistics can make major contributions to the undergraduate liberal arts curriculum, as exemplified in the relationship between linguistics and the English curriculum. The major points of contact between English and linguistics are the areas of stylistics and poetics. In the study of English, linguistics can enrich descriptions of texture…

Discussed are the strengths a field-study approach brings to undergraduate education, a model for conceptualizing a full range of field settings in the community, business, and government, and sources of strain in developing and implementing a program of non-classroom-based learning. (JMD)

Describes the development of an introductory undergraduate geography course that applies human and physical geography to an environmental problem. Discusses reasons for the course and its content and structure. Identifies the focus on a single environmental problem, emphasis on both physical and social processes, and course design as the program's…

Examined is the uniformity of curricula and instructional methods used in college biology education in the United States. Areas of special focus include curricula, introductory courses, laboratories, field experiences, faculty roles, undergraduate research, textbooks, ethics and values, encouraging underrepresented groups, capstone experiences,…