Popular culture exists as an expression of cultural history. It speaks to who we are, what we aspire toward, and where our generation stands in relation to the major issues of the day. This article is a conversation about the myriad perspectives offered in this issue of "New Directions for Student Leadership," exploring the contributions…

What should teachers do on the days after major events, tragedies, and traumas, especially when injustice is involved? This beautifully written book features teacher narratives and youth-authored student spotlights that reveal what classrooms do and can look like in the wake of these critical moments. Dunn incisively argues for the importance of…

This article addresses the cultural and educational needs of global learners by shedding light on existing literature focused on issues related to globalization and the internationalization of higher education in the United States. International student mobility promotes cultural and economic changes, which are recognized within this article due…

As of 2015, millennials (born in the 1990's) became the largest population in the workplace -- and are still growing. Studies indicate millennials are tech savvy but are lagging in the exercise of digital responsibility. In addition, they are passive towards environmental sustainability and fail to grasp the importance of social responsibility.…

In this article Sarita Cargas suggests that getting honors students used to analyzing controversies will contribute to their developing a disposition toward critical thinking. She goes on to say that the value of teaching critical-thinking skills complements the movement of many honors programs toward teaching more than just disciplinary content.…

Despite the growing availability and popularity of simulations and other active teaching techniques, many instructors may be deterred from using simulations because of the potentially high costs involved. Instructors could spend a preponderance of their time and resources developing and executing simulations, but such an approach is not necessary.…

Discusses to what degree an issue of the moment should be allowed to push aside a disciplined, reasoned pursuit of the announced goals of a course. (Author/PG)

Political scientists should use all the resources, trivia, of the real world of politics as teaching devices and relate them to the discipline's general knowledge and theory. (Author/ND)

Concludes that English teachers must still translate the new philosophy of education into practice. (Author)

Discusses how using newsmagazines in introductory journalism courses can promote the habit of reading current news. Claims that the newsmagazine approach teaches students to be critical, skeptical, and analytical consumers of news. (MM)

Describes a three-part midterm exercise designed to demonstrate how using general semantics as an analytical tool can increase awareness and improve critical thinking about an issue. Explains each phase of the assignment in detail. Concludes with student responses to the exercise, indicating that the exercise is indeed helpful in analyzing current…

Innovation in a Western Civilization course, using reverse chronology to survey historical developments, provides needed relevance and student involvement. Exercises covering eleven themes defined in discussion of post-1945 period are listed which direct students to reorganize data, and which lend themselves to further independent reading and…

Individuals face problems in school and society. Thus, pupils need to become proficient in the area of problem solving. Learners need to perceive purpose in these kinds of learning activities within the framework of a stimulating environment. (Author)

Reported are results of a survey of college students undertaken to determine their level of awareness of current events. Findings indicate low awareness. The author recommends creation of innovative methods for developing student awareness. For journal availability, see SO 505 192. (Author/DB)

Argues for the teaching public issues in the forum of business communication classes. Describes how students tracked presidential election campaigns and emerged with an understanding of underlying political, economic, and social realities that affect the way America does business. (RS)