This dialogue with Janet Miller, from her early work in the 1980s through the present, explores a post-human response to situatedness and embodiment, and demonstrate possible things to consider when we want to avoid centering human experience--when we strive to steward a universe determined as much by the more-than-human participants in our…

In the authors' conference presentation, they sought to emphasize that in his well-known book, "Democracy and Education" (1916), John Dewey's goal was to describe an education appropriate to a democracy. They point out that he also believed that his approach was a more humane way of teaching and, as many have argued since (e.g., Paley,…

This paper outlines an approach to training teachers in a repertoire of behaviors thought essential to humanistic teaching. Exercises necessary to give students a reasonable mastery of desired teaching behaviors are provided. The outline contains the following tasks: community-building exercises; definitions of nonjudgemental, acceptant,…

The paper describes three activities designed to enhance the self concept of mentally retarded students and build a positive classroom climate. Listed are 21 techniques for building self concepts, including encouraging overlearning and accepting limitations. (CL)

A multimillionaire responsible for several felonies stated recently that humanism is one of the leading causes of crime in the United States. A college English instructor tested the validity of the connection between humanism and deteriorating values, on a limited and informal basis, while conducting in a men's prison a series of weekly programs…

Among the advocates of the "Back to Basics" trend there seems to be little concensus as to what exactly constitutes the "basics." It is clear, however, that what most people mean by "basics" is mechanical skills, punctuation, spelling and grammar. The task of teachers of language is to foster an understanding of how…

It is important to counteract the collectivist and totalitarian trend which is currently the source of our educational problems. These problems are due to the impersonal, institutionalized communication which results from totalitarianism and collectivism in education. There is now a new movement toward personalism which focuses on love, community,…

Most people are raised in a traditional environment which teaches that someone-winning implies that someone-loses. However, psychology and the examples provided in the Watergate scandal demonstrate that such a philosophy is neither productive nor beneficial. A "win-win" philosophy of cooperation, not competition, is needed for…

Since the post-adolescent period is one of changes in values held, it is essential that colleges more effectively confront the task of stimulating and challenging ethical growth. Simulations are a technique which may prove effective in this task. Prisoner's Dilemma, Ghetto, and Diplomacy are three examples of simulation games which may generate…

The paper is written in the form of a dialogue between Miss Theoretician, a teacher, and Mr. Practicality, a school administrator. The Teacher's philosophy can be summarized as follows: In terms of the whole child, there are four facets of personal growth: intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. Schools place too much emphasis on the…

Twenty-five years ago a small volume of essays entitled "Crisis in the Humanities" was published containing an ominous message: namely, that the humanistic disciplines had arrived at a crossroad--a turning point at which a decisive change for better or worse was imminent. Humanistic scholarship appears to have declined since that…

Maria Montessori believed that preschool children were capable of practicing an elementary form of democracy, could direct their own learning and discipline themselves, and were able to thoughtfully control their behavior for the benefit of the group. She believed also that it was necessary to prepare the environment so that democracy would begin…

This paper lists and discusses general research topics that have humanistic implications under Aristotle's six elements of drama, showing how the theatre arts use research from all disciplines and relate to all aspects of human endeavor. Specific research topics are also discussed, as are areas needing immediate exploration, such as aesthetic…

In order that English teachers may be important to themselves, important as teachers, and, through their behaviors, important to their community and to society, they must accept the challenge of being humanists. Ten characteristics describe humanists: (1) they revere life in all forms; (2) they have profound respect for the human mind and its…

Since science fiction imaginatively explores the future, technology, and the human role in problem solving, it lends itself to the development of a process-oriented curriculum. Students may participate in planning, executing, and evaluating a study of science fiction, while they may learn through process goals to deal intelligently with change--a…