Suggests instructional strategies for biology teachers confronted with creationism in the classroom and ways of dealing with the literal view of the public regarding the Bible. Supporting documentation (such as Christian ideas supporting scientific spirit and inquiry and definitions of the earth) is included in appendices. (JN)

To test the literal biblical account of Noah's flood, four sources of possible flood waters were evaluated to determine if a natural (as opposed to supernatural) explanation is possible. Sources include rain, hydrothermal springs, and two types of cometary impact. Thermodynamic constraints preclude a natural means of accounting for the flood.…

Reports published by the New Zealand Department of Education and other agencies there illustrate the connection which can prevail between human relations education and a failure to consider critically the ethical issues involved in sex education. A philosophical discussion of love and justice and their relationship to sex education follows. (PP)

An alphabetical list of 44 references (books and articles) on various aspects of creationism, creationism-evolution controversy, and Darwinism is presented. (JN)

Evidence suggests that curricular content and the educational process shape and are shaped by sociocultural factors. This article explores changing ideas concerning how schools should respond to the societal environment and points out that no educational approach is completely neutral. The author urges that school-society relations be regarded…

Psychological factors are analyzed that might explain why scholars and teachers do not intellectually confront the possibility of nuclear annihilation. Teachers are urged to struggle toward facing that possible reality as a prelude to action. (PP)

Discusses a California case involving a tenured professor's controversial teaching style, which focused on "obscene" topics and assignments that allegedly humiliated female students. The professor eventually prevailed in a Ninth Circuit appeal. The lesson: when attempting to eradicate sexual harassment, we cannot abandon important First…

Critiques the 1994 curriculum standards by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), "Expectation of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies," stating that there is a need for revised standards. Focuses on three main criticisms of the NCSS social studies standards. (CMK)

Supports increasing emphasis on interethnic conflict around the world as part of an education in pluralism. Argues that the fuzzy moral relativism and feel-good message of most multicultural instruction tends to essentialize culture and inhibit any meaningful understanding. Maintains that facing difficult issues produces a true appreciation and…

Provides a brief quiz to test one's understanding of academic freedom. Reviews several court cases on teachers and academic freedom, highlighting the actions of the school, and outcomes of the cases. Includes suggestions for teachers for examining controversial issues in the classroom while accounting for the needs of all involved. (CMK)

Describes the author's interactions with prospective teachers' resistances to books in the "Harry Potter" series and how she dealt with these situations. Recognizes that her role as a teacher educator includes honoring her students' beliefs, upholding the integrity of the academic discipline of children's literature, and adhering to the…

Focuses on an undergraduate course, "Outside Politics: How Minorities Play the Political Game". Describes how to create a foundation for active and collaborative learning and to promote critical thinking, discussion, and writing through reading assignments. Discusses the use of debates and role playing, autobiographies and videos, and…

Described are activities that lead to values clarification. Issues such as dissection, bioengineering, birth control, medical resources, and death are discussed. Included is a student questionnaire on the subject of dissection and the use of animals in laboratories. (KR)

Discusses historical and legal analyses, as well as work in organizational theory and decision-process research, about church-state controversies within school districts. Discusses the political systems model and the decision-process model as pathways to problem analysis. Considers the institutional response of five California school districts.…

Analyzes four concepts contributing to U.S. involvement in Vietnam: (1) security; (2) ideology; (3) economics; and (4) domestic political considerations. Examines reasons why the United States lost the war; reviews combat conditions; and discusses the public attitudes toward the war. (LS)