In the last issue of "American Educator," several scholars argued in favor of a common core curriculum. By common core, they meant that the curriculum should be broadly adopted (enabling improvements in instructional materials, student tests, and teacher training), but also limited (preserving instructional time for districts, schools,…

Argues that universities are failing to prepare students for responsible citizenship in a world being rapidly changed by biotechnology. Calls for bringing together biology and the social sciences in more core courses. (TW)

Directors of academic, public, and special libraries were asked to relate curricula of master's degree programs in library and information science to their own perceived needs and preferences in hiring of junior professionals. Options for alternatives to education outside one-year degree setting were examined and ranked. Seventeen references are…

Argues that geography is an academic discipline, not a profession, and that one of its traditional contributions to British higher education lies its assistance in the development of critical intellectual skills. Maintains that efforts to create a core curriculum are short-sighted and open the field to political interference. (MJP)

Compares and contrasts the representation of World War II era Germans in English textbooks and academic histories. Finds the academic histories to be more varied and in-depth. Discusses the strategies used by the textbooks to create portrait of mindless aggression. Considers educational and policy implications. (MJP)

Outlines some of the main reasons given in support of a core curriculum in British higher education and challenges these arguments with particular references to geography. Arguments against a core curriculum include the changing nature of knowledge within the field and the strength of geography as a broad discipline. (MJP)

Examines the current debate about "permeation" of race, gender, and culture issues in teacher education in the United Kingdom. Explores the comprehensiveness of any strategy for effective permeation in teacher education, ranging from the nature of academic and professional elements to institutional backup to ensure more than a tokenistic…

Describes the University of California (Irvine) one-year humanities core course as hermeneutically and contextually oriented. Explains course development, structure, and organization and provides the reading list. Students assignments include essays and a dialectical notebook. Provides a three-day fall seminar for the teaching staff. Finds course…

Maintains that in the United Kingdom's educational policy, changes are threatening the status of geography in the curriculum. Notes the decision to exclude geography from the 14-19 core curriculum. Suggests greater dialog and joint school/higher education cooperation to ensure continuity and progression in the curriculum. (MJP)