Examines the characteristics differentiating those who persist to graduation from those who drop out in older (over age 25) undergraduate women. Comparative analysis of 192 graduates and 38 dropouts is discussed. Although motivations for persistence are complex, it is suggested that college outreach programs to increase retention of older female…

Assessment of career interests in 80 undergraduate students enrolled in a course and practicum on the psychology of mental retardation found no significant changes in career interest from pretest to posttest. Students with prior exposure to individuals with mental retardation (especially as volunteers) reported high levels of career interest.…

Describes a classroom procedure that induces cognitive dissonance in students by pointing out inconsistencies between their behavior and attitudes. Argues that this technique makes teaching about cognitive dissonance easier. Reports that students positively evaluated the effectiveness of the activity. (CFR)

The University of Hartford's International Summer Business Program provided French college students with perspectives on U.S. business and culture, improved English fluency, and real-world experience. The intensive one-month program led to significant improvements in business vocabulary and comprehension of business concepts. (SK)

A national study found that since 1979, winning a national championship in football or men's basketball results in increases in applications for undergraduate admission in years following the championship. This was found both in absolute numbers and in comparison with schools not winning championships. Institutional data are charted. (Author/MSE)

Investigates communication in a coeducational, undergraduate calculus class in order to develop an understanding of students' experiences at this stage in the science pipeline. Focuses on the filtering of females from the science pipeline. Contains 33 references. (DDR)

Advocates for a greater role for the arts in the core curriculum. Suggests that, rather than creating a curriculum that brings students to know about the arts, colleges and universities should offer an integrative approach through intelligences that can bring students to know through the arts. Contains 15 references. (CAK)

Focuses on growth and development of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students at the undergraduate level between 1941 and 1966. Discusses developments and progress made in the profession of teaching ESL students. Shows how teaching ESL in this period inadvertently contributed to the creation of the disciplinary division of labor that continues…

Traditional approaches to teaching business ethics (philosophical analysis, moral quandaries, executive cases) may not be effective in persuading undergraduates of the importance of ethical behavior. Better techniques include values education, ethical decision-making models, analysis of ethical conflicts, and role modeling. (SK)

A study identified the issues that influence tenured and tenure-track faculty members' involvement in sponsored projects at Bradley University (Illinois), a predominantly undergraduate institution. Faculty attitudes toward grant-related activities, and incentives and barriers to faculty participation, are discussed. Results show faculty see a…

Describes an experiment designed to introduce aspects of quantitative reasoning to a large, substantively-focused class in the social sciences. Reveals that participating students' abilities to interpret and manipulate empirical data increased significantly, independent of baseline SAT verbal and mathematics scores. Discusses implications for…

Describes a new undergraduate minor at Emory University (Georgia) that focuses on the causes and consequences of violence through interdisciplinary courses, campus programs, and community service. Undergraduates study the causes and consequences of violence from the viewpoints of more than a dozen disciplines. (DB)

Describes a matrix that depicts the relationships between desired perspectives, skills, knowledge, and attitudes and an undergraduate psychology curriculum. Expounds that the curriculum matrix is a useful tool for representing the coverage of specific material in the individual courses offered within the overall curriculum. Provides a blank…

Summarizes the educational trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1997-98 noting that in the three year period from 1991-92 to 1994-95 there was a 30% decline in the number of economic degrees awarded to undergraduate students. Finds that the overall trend masks huge differences among the types of institutions. (CMK)

Reviews the debate over argumentation within the feminist community, pointing out the types of theoretical problems presented to teachers. Argues that problems can be turned into learning opportunities, enabling students to become active participants in academic debates while encouraging them to have greater ethical self-awareness in their…