Issues concerning inclusion of ethics instruction in the medical school curriculum are discussed, including whether ethics should be presented as a body of knowledge or matter of professional identity and the "hidden curriculum" of medicine as a form of socialization. Recommendations for the structuring of an ethics curriculum are…

Addresses issues that might be raised in the study of art history from a critical theory perspective. Suggests that, in view of contemporary environmental and social concerns, Neolithic art would be of particular interest to students as would the possibility of having a society in which neither sex was dominant. (KM)

The level of accurate health knowledge that young adult women possess regarding selected information dealing with nutrition; disease; and over-the-counter, prescription, and social drugs is discussed. Sections include the introduction, methods, results, discussion, and implications for biology teachers. (KR)

Presents social studies' dichotomous two faces in its goals, content, and methods: the declarative versus hypothetical modes. Delineates the problem of education to produce good citizens or critical thinkers. Argues that the National Commission on Social Studies report, "Charting A Course," fails to provide a social studies program…

A discussion of ethics instruction in pharmacy practice argues that, because pharmacy students are still rapidly developing cognitively, faculty has an opportunity to help students mature and become socially conscious critical thinkers. The problem-solving process, dealing with alternative solutions, ambiguity, and flexible curriculum construction…

Examined is the role of middle school science textbooks in dealing with sensitive social and scientific issues. Ten widely used textbooks are compared to determine the amount and depth of content presented on five major global issues, including nuclear weapons. Implications are discussed within the context of a television culture. (KR)

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…

Examines the role of the hero in U.S. culture and how the social studies have treated heroes. Urges teachers to explore the ethical dimensions of superheroes. Indicates how Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, need to be understood in their own cultural context and in the fullness of their humanity. (CH)

Discusses criticisms of global education by Gregg L. Cunningham in a report for Thomas G. Tancredo, and the National Council for the Social Studies' response to the report. Contends that an ethnocentric curriculum restricts students ability to think critically. Distinguishes between cultural relativism and moral relativism. (DB)

School boards often must try to hammer together a consensus on difficult issues. A Colorado school district handled the issue of sex education by using the tools of democracy. The school board's role was to broker the dialog, to clarify community values, and to provide a detailed challenge process for citizens who disagree with the board's…

Outlines and discusses a series of activities using puppet theater to explore social community issues. Draws inspiration from the street theater of the 1960s that used puppetry and engaged the audience in lively conversations during productions. Includes instructions for building puppets and suggestions for plays and performance material. (MJP)

Describes the author's experience when the director and teacher-trainers of a writing program persuaded him that the oral interpretation he wished them to perform was too troubling and explosive to use. Outlines his questions and anguish about the incident, and the urgency of dealing with the dilemmas of multiculturalism, racial intolerance, and…

A classroom exercise to teach cross-cultural issues has students wear a mask of anonymity to express and defend highly controversial topics. Role playing heavily polarized positions enables all participants to discuss frankly and explore issues drawn from contemporary events that are otherwise too sensitive for open discussion. The outcome is a…

A Grinnell College (Iowa) study investigated whether students (n=200) felt that balanced discussion of racial/diversity issues was possible and why they did or did not want to discuss the issues. Most thought balanced discussion was impossible, feared a single viewpoint would dominate, and feared reprisal for speaking against the dominant…

Examines the narrative and propositional approaches to teaching about tolerance in relation to moral and political controversial issues. Indicates that students gave the teacher higher approval ratings, perceived the teacher as more attractive, and remembered more when the teacher used the narrative approach to explain conflicting positions on an…