Reviews the use of humor in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Black Creole Jamaican literature and song. Concludes that irony is inherent in the creative expression of early Jamaicans and writers about Jamaica, arising from inconsistencies of attitudes of Blacks toward Whites and toward themselves. (FMW)

Studies the development of a political ideology that draws on the resources of myth. Analyzes how Pat Robertson's concepts of apocalyptic fulfillment provided an ideological basis for his 1988 presidential campaign, but resulted in significant rhetorical problems. Finds that the transformation in Robertson's apocalyptic vision stemmed from his…

Analyzes, rhetorically, the concept of otherness, a central element in Mexican culture. Argues that the themes of otherness in the writings of Ohio Mexican Americans are symbolic representations of the pervasive ambivalence with which Mexican culture views its history and anticipates its future. (SR)

Proposes an art curriculum framework that reduces aesthetics to three theories of art: imitationalist, formalist, and emotionalist. Fits each theory into the curriculum at the appropriate developmental stage of the student. Applies these theories to art criticism, art history, and studio production. (LS)

Discusses the use of adolescent literature in the English curriculum as an appropriate forum for exploring the moral and social values of sexuality. Several books that deal with sexuality and homosexuality are reviewed and criteria for reading material selection are discussed. A reading list is provided. (8 references) (CLB)

Explains and defends the theory and practice of Afrocentrism. The Ethiopic Writing System is examined within the context of Afrocentric theory. The author presents Afrocentrism as a theory that seeks to promote and implement human freedom for all. (GLR)

States that the Afrocentric method is based on fact, not fiction, and addresses criticisms leveled at Afrocentric theory. It examines the sources of Afrocentrism, discusses the presence of blacks and the black influence in Greece, and argues that the ancient Egyptians were black. (GLR)

Wrestles with the questions of how teachers might understand and respond to the risk of exposing children to graphic historical narratives. Focuses on picture books and novels intended to help children remember, understand, and confront the implications of the Nazi genocide of European Jewry and the use of nuclear weapons on the people of…

Discusses ways that whole-language teachers can address the concerns raised by administrators, teachers, and parents about the use of portfolios in language arts classes. Suggests that teachers can use student self-evaluation and other methods to assign grades in portfolio-based classes, and master various techniques to reduce the time needed to…

Presents critical responses to Ron K. Unz's 1994 article, "Immigration or the Welfare System" which challenged the notion that out-of-control immigration is fueling a host of social and economic problems, from crime to welfare dependency to job loss, and suggested that welfare policies are the real cause of social breakdown. Unz's response is…

Argues that feminist psychologists not only do not have a uniform position on the issue of gender differences, but that many have argued for large gender differences. The article contends that meta-analyses indicate great variability in the magnitude of gender differences across different behaviors. (GR)

Describes a project in which Austrian and Hungarian students learned how people see each other by creating video pictures and letters of their neighbors (alien images) that were returned with corrections (self-images). Discussion includes student critiques, impressions, and misconceptions. (AEF)

Argues that the pedagogy of self-expression is conceptually confused and internally inconsistent, insensitive to class and cultural differences within American society, and a symptom of the malady of postmodern emptiness. The author uses fieldwork vignettes to introduce a Japanese approach to dealing with children's expressions of feelings.…

Examines seven Hopi narratives that focus on the first death that occurred after the Hopis' emergence into this world. Provides questions to use in teaching this myth and other cultural texts, including questions concerned with use of sacred texts, parallels with Anglo stories, translation issues, audience, storytellers, quality, art of the…

Describes the communication difficulties that older adolescents (n=188) felt they had experienced with their parents. Results indicated the most frequent type of current communication problem involved personal criticism. Older adolescents' attributions for their past and present communication problems significantly predicted their current…