Selects seven journal articles that feature young adult novels and, in the commentary, covers a topic of importance in the teaching of adolescent literature: theory, social issues, history, exposition, and practice. Contains a summary of each novel, a summary of the accompanying article, as well as information about the journal and the article…

Sketches some events in the life and career of Lowry Nelson, a rural sociologist, and relates these events to the development of rural sociology and the Rural Sociological Society. Asserts that the dream of using science to ameliorate social problems during the early development of rural sociology is still present today. (KS)

Offers a personal perspective on the shortcomings of contemporary news reporting. Considers four shortcomings: partial coverage, abstracting of issues, excessive objectivity, and elitism. States that reporters should always pursue the truth. (PA)

Examines how social conditions can become social problems and argues that there are objective ways of determining the scale of a particular problem. The paper supports its argument through examinations of prohibition, the decline in tobacco consumption, and the war on drugs. (GLR)

Presents a conversation with philosopher of science Sandra Harding, a major exponent of "feminist standpoint theory." Argues that objectivity is maximized not by excluding social factors from the production of knowledge but by starting the process of inquiry from an explicitly social location--the lived experience of those traditionally…

Summarizes findings from "The Troubled Journey: A Portrait of 6th-12th Grade Youth," a study of society's role in youth development. Highlights missing supports, destructive influences, at-risk behaviors, and promising strategies (e.g., reduce deficits/increase assets, strengthen youth-oriented institutions, involve youth in caring for others,…

The last 25 years have seen the mainstreaming of adult education through national and international organizations. Future challenges include continuing education of adult educators, accountability, social issues, and technological change. (SK)

Defends the Bradley Commission on History in Schools' and the National Commission on Social Studies' recommendations that history should be the basis of social studies instruction. Discusses claims that such an approach is ideologically conservative and unsupported by research. Addresses the suggestion that the study of social problems is the…

Suggests that participation in literature circles, where a small group of students come together to talk about books, could provide students with opportunities to find answers to their questions and to develop new perspectives on social issues. Describes how a group of seventh graders went into the community to search for answers to their…

Argues that changes in current journalistic practices will be required if regional strife is to be adequately understood and reported. Suggests that peace researchers and other social scientists work together with journalists to bring interdisciplinary resources to bear on complex reporting problems. (SR)

The 1940 school discipline list, a "national teacher survey" of the top seven offenses has been extensively cited by outspoken school critics. The list, along with its 1990 counterpart, has been traced to T. Cullen Davis, a wealthy Texas businessman-turned evangelical Christian/education lobbyist. The conflation of school discipline with social…

Provides and explains a diagrammatic representation of the community concept and discusses how the concept can be used for interpretation programs that address the intertwined environmental and social problems facing society. (LZ)

Argues for an integrated response to the interrelated problems of substance abuse and literacy. Recommends assessment to identify substance abuse and literacy problems, integrated instructional interventions, and discourse among classroom teachers and mental health professionals. (SR)

Discusses using open Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for teaching sociology courses. Suggests that the meetings provide excellent case studies and can exemplify a variety of topics. Stresses that three conditions must be present: (1) easy access to meetings and high student interest; (2) meeting experience is integrated into course; and (3) student…

Details Lawrence Oxley's work as director of the Division of Work among Blacks from 1925 to 1934. Discusses racial attitudes and legal injustices toward Blacks. Oxley addressed social problems of Blacks such as unfair capital punishment, juvenile delinquency, and lack of social services. (KS)