We have applied the "practical paradigm" in teaching problem solving to secondary school students. The key feature of the practical paradigm is the use of a practical worksheet to guide the students' processes in problem solving. In this paper, we report the diffusion of the practical paradigm to university level courses for prospective…

This paper discusses the objectives of a program in biomechanics--the analysis of sports skills and movement--and the evolution of the biomechanics program at Iowa State University. The primary objective of such a course is to provide the student with the basic tools necessary for adequate analysis of human movement, with special emphasis upon…

The almost total neglect of philosophical psychology as an area of curricular focus in undergraduate programs for the psychology major is examined. Three perspectives from which philosophical psychology may be addressed are surveyed and include: (1) the philosophy of mind; (2) problems indigenous to both philosophy and psychology; and (3) the…

Contracting for the content of an undergraduate course as one means of individualizing instruction is discussed in this report. It proved to be a successful method for students with wide varieties of background and educational aims in a number of education courses. A personal contract between each student and the instructor is drawn for the…

Suggests examining a few subjects in depth rather than covering a whole range of topics superficially. Also discusses how much theory is appropriate in the undergraduate curriculum. (Author/JN)

Over the last 25 years, less attention has been devoted to the role of the economist as teacher or professor than to the role of economist as scholar or researcher. Teachers have been seen as passive recipients of advances in economics research that they simply hand on to their students. Yet teachers perform an important gatekeeping function when…

In a national climate of moving the media research course from the undergraduate to graduate levels, this paper analyzes an innovative, easily replicative, and significantly successful new modality--implemented at an open-enrollment university in the Deep South--that may point the way to prevent termination of this essential course to…

Responds to Graeme Decarie's recommendation to teach processes in introductory history by citing E. D. Hirsch's argument that a general body of knowledge is necessary for intelligent discourse. Argues that an understanding of historical chronology must be developed in the introductory history course. (LS)

An undergraduate student offers reflections and observations on college course syllabi. Since the syllabus is the student's guide through the course, it should be clearly organized allowing students to find information quickly. It should outline the expectations that students and instructor will have during the course. In addition a syllabus must…

A study assessed the status of the undergraduate general communication theory course at small and large colleges. Questionnaires were mailed to 261 programs in the United States listing a communication theory course in their catalogues. A total of 62 questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 24%. Results indicated: (1) a clear…

In response to the need for research methods training in the public relations undergraduate curriculum, this paper identifies the range of possible formats for a public relations research methods course (analyzing strengths and weaknesses for each) and recommends a hybrid format. The paper then identifies and compares different goals for research…

Undergraduate introductory sociology courses should actively engage students in learning the concepts, theories, and research methods that comprise the core knowledge of the discipline. The course should introduce the social theorists Durkheim, Marx, Mead, and Weber. Social concepts of the human group, social system, and social organization;…

The creation of a new undergraduate curriculum in psychology is discussed. It is suggested that the undergraduate psychology curriculum is valuable as an end in itself rather than solely as preparation for a career in the field. The new curriculum would be structured principally around a program of intensive study of the practical, personal…

In order to explore the rhetorical components of instruction at the undergraduate level and determine whether differences and similarities exist among the discourse fields represented by instructors in the kind of talk which they regard as desirable in their classroom, formal interviews were conducted with teaching faculty representing l5…

Despite exhortations from public relations practitioners, theorists, and educators as to the need to equip practitioners with management skills, a review of 59 academic programs in public relations finds that most undergraduate programs appear to pay only lip service to this goal. While many programs offer no undergraduate courses specifically…