In the context of identity politics, identity has been perceived as something substantial, inborn and essential--an unchangeable quality of self that waits to be explored and expressed. Its dynamic aspect could be nurtured through enlightenment and experience as one grows up. In this essay, the author wants to explore the dilemma that identity as…

Although many colleges profess interest in character development, faculty often feel ill equipped to address questions of vocation and purpose in their classes. Life writing--biography and autobiography--is a popular genre outside of the university, but is largely neglected within the academy. The study of life writing provides a natural way to…

The contemporary relevance of the German philosopher of vocational education, Georg Kerschensteiner, is first indicated in general terms in relation to current debates and policies. Kerschensteiner's main ideas are then outlined. There is a discussion of his relationship with progressivism, his ideas about learning and the importance of practical…

Discusses the experiences and ideas of Anton S. Makarenko, an early influential Soviet educator known for his children's labor collective school that operated in the 1920s near Poltava. Examines Makarenko's legacy for the current educational reform movement, which emphasizes methods that combine instruction with social production and seeks ways to…