Considers the treatment of family causation of schizophrenia in undergraduate abnormal psychology textbooks. Reviews texts published only after 1986. Points out a number of implications for psychologists which arise from the inclusion in these texts of the idea that parents cause schizophrenia, not the least of which is the potential for…

Describes changes in the international studies program at Miami University (Ohio). They are the result of a dramatic rise in student interest. Identifies unity and coherence in a multidisciplinary format as the central challenge to the program. Suggests that success is dependent upon management, cooperation, and development of a clear vision. (KO)

An introductory statistics course is a common requirement for undergraduate economics, psychology, and sociology majors. An approach to statistics that involves the effort to encourage habits of systematic, critical quantitative thinking through focusing on descriptive statistics is discussed. (MLW)

Evaluation, especially when based on a stakeholder-centered model of inquiry, can positively influence institutional change. A successful plan to monitor and evaluate change recognizes the need to involve all stakeholders in the planning and implementation process. (Author/MSE)

Presents an experiment to measure the threshold limit of the adhesion of water. Discusses types of thresholds and pseudo thresholds. Provides 13 examples of thresholds in science. (MVL)

Good teaching requires consistent scholarly commitment by faculty, including formal presentation of ideas and findings for public scrutiny. Institutions serious about undergraduate teaching should work imaginatively to make active scholarship compatible with teaching responsibilities. The difference in scholarship appropriate for undergraduate and…

Suggests a change in physical chemistry courses to use a slightly more complicated but significantly more useful generalization of the simple freezing point depression law. Lists reasons for the change and presents the treatment of solid-liquid equilibria where solid-solution is allowed. Provides a mathematical treatment. (MVL)

No significant difference in final examination scores or student ratings was found for students taught by foreign and native Teaching Associates (TAs), when students' ability and TAs' teaching experience were held constant. A moderate positive correlation was found between the foreign TAs' English proficiency score and their students' examination…

Questionnaire data on 139 undergraduate and 144 graduate special education programs indicated that the ecological approach is included in programs to train teachers of the behaviorally disordered and that the emphasis on course hours and practice is similar for undergraduate and graduate levels. (Author/DB)

Summarizes six curricular approaches to the teaching of international relations at the college level. Assesses some of the purposes and rationales of these approaches and discusses the merits of each approach. Concludes that development of curricula has largely failed to address questions of both substance and pedagogy. (KO)

Describes a special project designed for use in U.S. government courses. The project exposed students to the international dimensions of the U.S. government. Provides details for conducting the project. Reports that the activities of the project were successful in raising student awareness about the international aspects of U.S. government. (KO)

A study classified 61 writing assignments from 10 undergraduate science and technology courses on the basis of audience and task specifications. Most assignments emphasized reporting on specific participatory experiences, and 25 percent of assignments specified an audience other than the course instructor. Pedagogical implications for…

Argues for change in the training of psychologists on the undergraduate and graduate levels. A new introductory course on applications of psychology to oneself and to society is proposed. A common core of courses for graduate students is recommended, with an interdisciplinary emphasis to ensure basic scientific literacy. (AF)

Develops a lab experiment for introductory instrumental analysis that requires interference studies and optimizing of conditions. Notes the analysis of the aspirin is by visible spectrophotometric assay. Gives experimental details and discussion. (MVL)

Describes a laboratory experiment designed to encourage laboratory cooperation among individual undergraduate students or groups. Notes each student contributes results individually and the exchange of data is essential to obtain final results. Uses the polarographic method for determining complex metal ions. (MVL)