Describes how the matrilineal social structure of central Malawi, Africa, affects, to a considerable degree, the mode of transmission and content of oral tradition. Researchers should understand the way the matrilineal structure functions and, in particular, the bearing it has on the historical consciousness of informants. (RM)

The future theory and practice of distance education is considered in light of social theory, particularly social structures and systems. Distance education as a multi-national instructional industry is discussed, theories of teaching and learning are described, and 39 references are provided. (LRW)

Maintains that most students learn how sociologists study social stratification in introductory sociology courses. Presents a content analysis of 15 introductory college textbooks to determine whether they use distributional or relational approaches as the basis for their treatment of social class. Finds that depictions of class are…

Although education and other quasi-public services are financed by the government in both Holland and Sweden, the public/private division of finance and provision of these services that exists in Holland has no counterpart in Sweden, where provision of services is delegated to local governments and the private nonprofit sector is negligible.…