Reports on a 1990 study of political and social attitudes of Russian school students, age 10-15. Finds that belief in Communism is declining and that boys are more skeptical about Communism than are girls. Concludes that social issues and moral values were considered very important by a large number of the respondents. (CFR)

In 1930, Japanese philosopher Tsunesaburo Makiguchi stated that happiness was education's main goal. The paper examines Makiguchi's work as relevant to the American educational system and teacher education. Makiguchi cautioned that children's inherent love of learning could be extinguished by systems that force-fed students information in order to…

Maintains that the National Council for the Social Studies national standards advocate understanding of and participation in democratic citizenship by all students, including those at the elementary level. Provides recommendations for developing a democratic classroom and building a democratic school community. (CFR)

Asserts that folktales from around the world can be used in the elementary social studies classroom to teach about cultural traits. Discusses types of folktales and recommends instructional procedures and classroom activities. Maintains that studying folktales can increase children's awareness of moral and social issues. (CFR)

Argues for the incorporation of multicultural objectives into Catholic university curriculum. Maintains that the Catholic doctrine of diversified unity makes it particularly qualified to mediate among the polarizing elements of multiculturalism. Contains 10 broad guidelines for establishing multicultural objectives within a Catholic university.…

Reviews research on attitudes of citizens of industrialized nations toward the causes of poverty in developing nations. Reports on a study of 89 British adults and their attitudes toward poverty in the developing world. Finds attitudes of "Blame the Poor" that are consistent with previous research. (CFR)

According to a survey of Fortune 500 executives, American schools should teach analytical, higher order, conceptual, and problem-solving skills; reading and writing proficiencies; and effective communication skills. Schools should also provide apprenticeships for high schoolers and stress interpersonal skills (especially cooperation in diverse…

An unnatural, selective school crisis envelopes the poor, the cities, and Latino and African American communities. Structures of privilege and oppression apparent in the larger society are mirrored in schools. The perspectives of principal Deborah Meier, novelist Toni Morrison, and poet Adrienne Rich lend credence to empowerment and…

Maintains that Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King, Jr. fundamentally altered the tradition of protest and reform. Compares and contrasts the role of each man in U.S. social and constitutional history. Concludes that while Thoreau lacked the broad influence of King, his writings influenced both King and Mohandas Gandhi. (CFR)

Maintains that within the qualitative paradigm there are related approaches with distinct disciplinary and intellectual traditions. Examines three genres: (1) educational connoisseurship and criticism; (2) ethnography; and (3) action research. Asserts that understanding the assumptions, methods, and contributions of these genres can expand art…

Explores the idea of school-community councils as a way of establishing a social compact between schools and the community. Specific suggestions are given for establishing councils and keeping them functioning smoothly. Literature and community resources that can help are suggested and listed. (SLD)

Examines home and church learning of indigenous Ethiopians, the Amara Welloye, and the richness of this indigenous education as a foundation in building an effective educational system for present-day Africans. Indigenous learning is vital to transmission of values that Africans consider essential in understanding and experiencing life's fullness.…

Investigates cross-cultural differences in values and attitudes toward nuclear war between 336 Caucasian and 67 American Indian adolescents in the rural Pacific Northwest. Implications of value ranking differences and differing attitudes about nuclear war, the nuclear freeze, and escalation of war are discussed in their cultural contexts. (SLD)

Discusses a feminist, multicultural approach to studying moral dimensions of females' physical activity; morality and gender as social constructs; scholarly events in U.S. history that reveal psychologists' emerging understanding of social constructs; psychologists' conceptions of the evolving constructs of gender and morality; and research needs.…

Discusses the importance of fostering conversation about difficult issues such as racism and injustice. Offers six guidelines for teacher facilitated group discussions in the classroom about sensitive issues that cover planning, goals, setting the stage, rules, and encouraging openness. (JB)