Analyzes course requirements to determine the amount of required mathematics and science for production-oriented agronomy majors. Reports that mathematics requirements center around college algebra and statistics; science requirements generally include chemistry, biology, plant physiology, and genetics; and land-grant institutions have a…

Rapid changes in health sciences necessitate frequent revision of nursing curricula. A system that prioritizes health issues by such factors as magnitude, quality of life, duration of illness, case fatality rate, and concurrent burdens can help determine essential curriculum content. (SK)

Reports on a study of 88 students in an introductory college psychology course to determine whether a media assignment increased students' ability to apply psychological concepts to real-world events. Finds mixed results but concludes that media assignments may enhance student learning. (CFR)

Describes a way of using history to teach poetry in the English classroom. Argues that coupling history and poetry is a powerful way to teach both topics to students. (HB)

Complex interactions between the environment and business make the inclusion of environmental issues in collegiate business programs desirable. Describes the organization and content of an undergraduate course that enables students to observe a business from an environmental perspective and focus on the changes needed in all areas of business…

Details the concept of transactional writing and clarifies why it belongs in the high school English curriculum. Defines transactional writing, relates it to expressive writing, and shows how it might be used by English teachers. (HB)

Traces the beginning and development of social studies as a curriculum area. Compares the situation and recommendations from the turn of the century with those of today. Reports that the curriculum is still dominated by history and government with geography at the elementary and junior high levels. (DK)

Discusses Rutgers University's departmentally based "Gateway" retention program for underprepared students. Explains that, in "Gateway Sociology 101," students learn sociology in extraordinarily positive conditions. Reports that instructors pursue expanded goals, offer extra classroom time, monitor attendance, teach in teams,…

Outlines a two-semester high school course in Yearbook Desktop Publishing in which students learn desktop publishing skills along with the traditional yearbook curriculum. Presents general and behavioral objectives, rationale, and a course outline of concepts to be covered. (SR)

Course syllabi from 13 teacher training programs in blindness and visual impairment were collected to ascertain what teacher trainers think is important content for preservice teachers. Findings revealed that course content, assignments, and requirements tended to vary among programs. (Author/DB)

Advocates making technical writing courses more vertical in structure by including an extensive study of at least one specific form of technical documentation. Examines how students can gain experience in the vertical process by designing, writing, testing, and producing user manuals for on-campus cooperative education clients. Lists the benefits…

Suggests that most programs have not based their acceptance of advanced placement credit on reasoned endorsement of the views of language, literature, and rhetoric that AP exams present. Criticizes the views implicit in the AP program and shows how they conflict with the goals of one particular college composition program. (RS)

Notes that content area teachers who are required to complete a content area reading instruction course may begin with uncertainty regarding the usefulness of reading and language arts strategies. Describes three factors which may be important in developing and maintaining students' interest in a course in content area reading instruction. (RS)

Describes methods for teaching student writers basic principles of organization. Argues that teachers should help their students learn the process of discovering organizations appropriate for their material instead of merely teaching traditional forms of written organization. (HB)

Responses from 191 college students suggest that they are most interested in learning about course content and the instructor at the first session. Effectiveness of the first session is enhanced by attention to physical space, temperature, lighting, and equipment; personal greeting; and explanation of the relevance of course content. (SK)