Examines the causes of student passivity in social studies classes. The need for more classroom discourse and free-flowing, critical inquiry into controversies is stressed. Strategies for improving classroom conditions to promote discourse are described. (AM)

Outlines some of the pedagogical and organizational concerns encountered in transforming a traditional college-level U.S. geography course into a course emphasizing pluralism and diversity issues. Identifies the five principal components of pluralism as ethnicity, gender, race, religion, and social class. Discusses incorporating these components…

The impacts of instructor gender and race on student evaluations of teaching effectiveness, particularly when courses contained controversial content, were studied with 190 undergraduates. No support was found for the hypothesis that students would rate women and minority instructors lower, but the same material was thought to be more…

Reflection on religious issues is an essential part of education. In secular colleges and universities, religious topics under study should be highlighted, with discussion, challenges, and critique encouraged, not dismissed or ignored. Faculty should openly express their convictions when relevant to the subject or a student's concern. Dialogue can…

Describes some research studies, contents of a videotape, students' discussion of nuclear power and other educational aspects of the topic. Ten references are listed. (YP)

Notes the current attempt to replace social studies with U.S. history and geography. Delineates the two strands of thought in the social studies reform movement and argues that there is a strong tradition of the social studies as a unified, issue-centered field of study. (SLM)

Reviews the history of social studies as an integrated, issue-centered field of study from its inception within the progressive movement to the present. Summarizes major curricular development projects within the issues-centered orientation and speculates on the decline of the problems approach in social studies education. (SLM)

Reports on a study which was conducted to provide a sample of biology teachers an opportunity to describe their experiences and opinions regarding the controversial issue of evolution and creation as it relates to teaching about the origins of life. Provides the objectives, sample selection, an analysis, and a conclusion. (RT)

Presents classroom activities that have been effectively used by teachers to sensitize students toward the complexities of life in rich and poor countries. Lists several guidelines for helping students learn about development. Sees development as a topic which can fit into a variety of curricula. (KO)

Summarized are some aspects of knowledge about the potential health consequences of a nuclear war. Discussed are fires, radioactive fallout, and synergistic effects. (CW)

The new Ursuline College (Ohio) core curriculum is based on controversial theories about unique ways in which women learn. In freshman seminars, students are encouraged to discover personal truths by drawing connections between the liberal arts and their own lives. (MSE)

The trend toward a "politically correct" college curriculum and instructional materials is criticized as contradicting the principle of academic freedom, an essential principle of higher education. It is argued that appropriate exposure to controversial ideas is a crucial element in the student's intellectual development and the creation…

A white male professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks taught an experimental section of a composition course with a reading list composed almost entirely of American Indian and Alaska Native authors. Vocal controversies about the readings were attributed to fundamentalist views, lack of experience in reading literature, sensitivity about…

Describes an undergraduate Psychology of Social Problems course. The course focuses on the psychological aspects of legal abortion for adolescents and women, the consequences of denied abortions on unwanted children, and psychological ramifications of alternatives to abortion. Summarizes student evaluations of the course. (CFR)

Compares values and ethics related courses in three types of colleges. The study included three variables: Total Values Courses Required, Contemporary Values Courses Required, and Nonreligion Values Courses Required. Discovers that, although Evangelical colleges require greater coursework, instruction is often one-sided. (MJP)