The Grand Challenges for Social Work were introduced by the American Academy for Social Work & Social Welfare in 2016, which are social problems that are interrelated and "exceedingly complex". We discuss the relevance of complexity theory, operationalized by complex adaptive systems (CAS), to the Grand Challenges. CAS moves beyond…

The importance of engaging students with complex societal challenges has led to the adoption of various interdisciplinary teaching and learning practices in both K-12 and higher education. However, interdisciplinary learning is one of the most complex domains of contemporary educational practice, and, despite its significance, remains…

Sociology has been slow in responding to the challenge of climate change. In this conversation, we advocate adding more climate change content to Introduction to Sociology courses. To support our arguments, we present data from a content analysis of the top 11 best-selling introductory textbooks in the United States, demonstrating that…

Objective: This paper explores the expectations of teachers to contribute to fostering students' wellbeing in the revised Norwegian curriculum. A new construct in the curriculum is three interdisciplinary topics -- health and life skills; democracy and citizenship; and, sustainable development -- included to give priority to prevailing societal…

This case study explores how a problem-based learning (PBL), graduate education course could be organized in ways that utilize the current knowledge of how people learn within diverse, real world community settings. Students were asked to identify an educational enterprise and a social problem within a culturally diverse, high-need community.…

We hear much talk that today it is more difficult than in the past to be young-whether as a kindergartner or as a college student. It is also more difficult to be older, because the task of guiding young people to conduct a still unknown future is an awesome charge. Theoretically, a person living in the age of Charlemagne could grow up believing…

Higher education institutions are continually seeking to recruit nontraditional adult students yet struggle at the same time to meet their needs effectively. The following case study offers strategies to address this situation by documenting the pedagogical design and initial outcomes of an interdisciplinary, nineteen-month leadership-themed…

Describes a college utilizing interdisciplinary studies and off-campus learning experiences to unite the classroom and reality and thus acknowledge the social significance of science. (LS)

This is a teacher's guide to a one semester seminar course for high school students. Much of the course is based on research papers presented by students. The themes of the course are stated as: "The Role of Science in Technological Development as Related to Cultural and Social Development," and "The Role and Influence of Science in Literature,…

A secondary education curriculum model is proposed that provides for individualized programs, including both academic study and direct student involvement in efforts to solve contemporary social problems. (JK)

Presents opinions regarding the development of integrated science curricula that provide an interaction between scientific education and social problems. Discusses philosophy regarding the relationship between education and the socioeconomic development in modern countries. (CS)

Presented are three articles on environmental education representing the views of four authorities from the fields of geography, sociology, biology, and conservation. The first article stresses the need for successful management of the global environment and global environmental education. The second article details the social effects of…

It is increasingly demanded that our academic institutions, having been the primary source of the material structuring our civilization, also be the vehicle for finding solutions for its ills. Society is pressuring the university to establish multidisciplinary programs as the most suitable mechanism for meeting these demands. This will require…

A newspaper's reporting and documenting of a local issue is used as a curricular starting point in many subject areas. (Author/KM)