Based on information printed in the journal, "Past and Present," it is argued that educational historians are placing too much attention on sociology and anthropology theories rather than examining the educational process itself. (ND)

Comments on H. Wolcott's argument for the use of the term "propriospect." Asserts that the role of language is essential to understanding the concepts of cultural acquisition and cultural transmission, which are complementary dimensions of the same process. (SLD)

Explores the nature of praxis and its impact on scholars' status in community and university. Recommends that researchers endorse standards consistent with enlightenment and modernist goals and engage in democratically transformative activism in conjunction with their scholarly careers. (Contains 103 references.) (Author/SLD)

The idea that something external to the human organism, "culture," could contribute to human diversity was a pivotal paradigm shift when it arose at the end of the last century, but the power of the concept has been eroded through a reductionistic abuse of the term, and "culture" may give way to ideas of "identity." (SLD)

Describes changes occurring in educational anthropology and discusses what these changes mean for the field. Educational interventions in the future must be undertaken with more concern for the needs, wants, morals, and participation of those who are directly involved. (SLD)

The preparation of novice teachers is dominated by psychological notions almost to the exclusion of other social science paradigms. The perspective that is least likely to be evident in teacher preparation is that of anthropology. However, prospective and novice teachers regularly and loosely use the word "culture" as an explanation for student…

This article is based on an ethnographic study I conducted in southern Morocco during 2004. I explore the historical, ideological, and cultural background behind educational specialization among Moroccan university students. I describe how French colonial educational policies and postindependence Moroccan national schooling ideologies have created…

Education in schools that serve nationalities consisting of comparatively small populations is currently a focal topic in relation to academia and international organizations. The issue of cultural choice in the schools--whether the function of education in these schools is ultimately dissemination of modern mainstream culture or transmission of…

Although the work of learning scientists and instructional designers has brought about countless curricula, designs, and theoretical claims, the community has been less active in communicating the explicit and implicit critical social agendas that result (or could result) from their work. It is our belief that the community of learning scientists…

My paper looks at "signatures" in the form of "ciphers" (kao) and other personal marks made on population registers, town rules, and apostasy oaths in the early seventeenth century to provide some empirical evidence of very high literacy among village leaders. The essay also argues, using the same data, that literacy had…

Talcott Parson's concept of cognitive rationality as the main purpose of the university is considered and juxtaposed with a new religious conciousness, born of the critical intellect and housed in the contemporary university. (JH)

An American's description of problems encountered and cultural differences examined while employed as a lecturer at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. (HMV)

This essay is a history of the process of completing an ethnographic study in a child care setting. It presents reflections on entering the field site, keeping field notes, and analyzing data. An exploratory study of a group of preschool children led to the selection of qualitative methods and clarified the theoretical basis for research. In…

A reexamination of the functionalist interpretation of education by revisionist historians that posits an innate, biological need for freedom and autonomy in order to explain and analyze possible sources for educational change. (EH)