At a recent meeting of traditionalist and "politically incorrect" scholars, speakers accused a small but vocal core of academics of allowing their radical anti-Americanism to taint their scholarship and teaching, refusing to question their own assumptions. Increasing restraints on free speech among scholars was also criticized. (MSE)

In response to an emerging anti-intellectualism on campus, Saint Lawrence University (New York) instituted an interdisciplinary first-year course built around themes of community and identity. The effort is designed to stimulate intellectual development, bring faculty and students into closer contact, and blend academics and student life. (MSE)

An Association of American Colleges report recommends changes to strengthen undergraduate instruction, urging academic departments to (1) consider how courses in a major relate to each other and to outside courses and (2) structure majors so students can build on their knowledge, tying it together in a final senior experience. (MSE)

A recently released report by a Stanford University committee examining race relations in every segment of campus life concluded that despite racial diversity, race relations are strained and full integration must be accomplished. The report's conclusions and recommendations relate to the undergraduate and graduate student bodies, faculty, and…

A national survey revealed that college English professors still rely heavily on traditional literary texts but are adding new books, asking new questions, and using new teaching approaches. A majority of respondents said a goal was to help students understand the influence of race, class, and gender in literature. (MSE)

In March, after two years of debate that followed complaints by minority students, Stanford's faculty voted to replace the university's year-long Western culture requirement with a new requirement called "Cultures, Ideas and Values." Courses will be required to give attention to the issues of race, gender, and class. (MLW)

Curriculum reform in higher education is focusing on enhancement of undergraduate education in a variety of ways, including multicultural education, specialized courses for freshmen and seniors, improved calculus instruction, and development of thinking and writing skills. Strengthened general education requirements are a major target in many…