Some argue that instead of being taught as a discrete skill, critical thinking must be linked to the content and methods of specific academic disciplines; they urge faculty to make students explicitly aware of the language and modes of thinking of their disciplines. (MSE)

The higher education reform movement is struggling against the existing faculty reward system and academic culture to support active improvement of college instruction. (MSE)

Good research and good teaching are not mutually exclusive, professors and deans demonstrated at the meeting of the Association of American Colleges. The traditional "teacher-scholar model" is seen as intimidating, since most faculty members aren't publishing enough. The model should include scholarship that doesn't end up in print. (MLW)

A 1985 survey conducted by the Modern Language Association found that undergraduate English courses are still organized around genres or historical periods although feminist criticism and reconstruction have had a major influence on scholarly work. Attacks by Secretary Bennett and other critics of curriculum revision are discussed. (MLW)

Teachers for a Democratic Culture, a newly formed organization of humanities scholars seeking to broaden the undergraduate curriculum, is challenging criticism of scholarship and college teaching. Members maintain that such issues as political correctness and free speech on campus have been misrepresented and unfairly attacked by conservative…

Faculty members at liberal arts colleges best known for their teaching are stepping up their research agendas. The change may threaten the culture of liberal arts colleges, known for good teaching and close student-faculty ties. Promotion to full professor depends on completion of a major research project. (MLW)

At the annual meeting of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, scholars suggested that higher education--liberal arts in particular--should address broad social issues, encourage student activism, and stop pretending that teaching is not a political act. 'Empowerment' of students through collaborative classroom experiences was urged.…

Miami-Dade Community College, which wants to reward faculty members who devote themselves to teaching, intends to hire professors who want to teach and advise large minority populations and remedial classes. Characteristics of an excellent professor are identified. (MLW)

According to speakers at the annual meeting of the American Association for Higher Education, better college teaching requires closer attention to how students learn, but colleges set a poor example for such values as empathy and cooperation. Institutions should encourage student-faculty contacts, emphasize collaboration among students, use active…

Representatives from 12 state universities have formed the Alliance for Undergraduate Education to prove that attention is being paid to undergraduates on their campuses. Participants expect to discuss how to avoid the depersonalization of large campuses and packed undergraduate classrooms. (MLW)