A phenomenological approach to library research utilizing qualitative research methods is contrasted to a positivist-behaviorist approach utilizing quantitative methods. Psychological understanding of a situation attained by means of accurate description, and subjectivity and associated intentionality are presented as part of the phenomenological…

The central feature of language is symbolic meaning, and the act of reading is a part of the symbolic process that characterizes human life. Meaning occurs as a result of interpretation in a context, not as a result of response or reaction. Signs have a literal meaning in a specific context, while symbols have a figurative meaning in an implicit…

Artistic evaluation is a subjective process which focuses on the aesthetic qualities of an educational experience, rather than the more traditionally focus on the measurement of the outcomes of preestablished goals. It uses literary symbols, such as metaphor, voice, plot, and theme, to describe classroom settings, and to portray the personal…

DESPITE RENEWED INTEREST IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING, THE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IS THE WEAKEST LINK IN A CHAIN OF INSTRUCTION EXTENDING FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THROUGH THE POST-DOCTORAL LEVEL. IMPROVEMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION IS IN PART CONTINGENT UPON A REAPPRAISAL BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ITS…

"MORE THAN THE COMMON ELEMENT IN COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE," LANGUAGE IS A SUBJECT APPROPRIATE FOR STUDY IN THE ENGLISH CURRICULUM. HERETOFORE, THE TEACHING OF LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION HAVE SUFFERED FROM TEACHERS' AND STUDENTS' INADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF RECENT LANGUAGE DISCOVERIES, AND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION HAS BEEN INCOMPLETE AND DISORDERLY.…

The fantastic tale is a genre of children's literature in which magic and reality are found side by side in a superficially plausible story with a definite historical setting. Motifs characteristic of the tale are living toys, strange children, modern witches, space and time displacements, "doors" to the wonderland, the mythical world itself, and…

The possibility that many English teachers take their subject too seriously should be considered. The assumption that literature can to any degree either improve or adversely affect students is doubtful, but the exclusive study of "great literature" in our secondary schools may invite basic reflections too early: a year's steady diet of "King…

This paper discusses the allocation of policy influences at the national, state, and local levels of government. A theory of what causes a change from a decentralized to a more centralized system is developed and whether and how such a theory of change is related to a theory of the origins of a federal system is explored. The author presents…

This study involves a discussion of the term alienation and its relevancy to adolescents, a survey of the philosophies of state departments of education, an examination of state-adopted hardback and paperback textbooks, and a look at the individual literature courses offered as electives or as parts of standard curricula in private and public…

Unfortunately, three of society's worst problems during the last decade--racism, sexism, and maladjusted parents--are reflected in the content of children's books. While censorship of books of questionable value is not recommended, it is necessary to judge and to find fault with them and ultimately to steer children into reading the good books…

As a result of a study of the situation of Canadian literature in Canadian high schools and universities, this course was developed to provide teachers with useful information about Canadian literature. Included in this kit are sections on Canadian literature (the great debate about the importance of Canadian content), history and sources…

The historical rhetoric, mythic heroes, and values of the American Revolution have become the justification for many other contemporary "revolutions." Collective movements advocating states' independence, the abolition of slavery, women's rights, civil rights, and so on, have manipulated the concept of heroic equality as it is embodied…

During the last 15 years, Chicano literature has not only repeated some of the topics of Mexican literature, but has added many more. Similar to Mexican literature, Chicano literature deals with: the pains, trials, and common experiences of childhood; the loss of religion, as traditional Catholicism confronts the changing needs and desires of the…

Reasons for studying the literature of a people may vary. While some value it for its aesthetic qualities only, others view it primarily as a source for providing opportunities for the extension of linguistic skills. An important component often overlooked, however, is that of culture. The type of culture referred to here is of an anthropological…

Violent episodes in realistic fiction in children's books between 1960 and 1970 were analyzed according to the total space devoted to violence, details or intensity of descriptions, the role assumed by the heroes, villains, kinds of violent acts perpetrated, the relationship of participants in the aggressive act, value judgments expressed, and the…