Critical analysis of the European Union's (EU) policy toward a learning society involving eight countries. Presents a theoretical framework composed of three different aspects of learning-society policy debate: economic, political, and cultural. Suggests that EU policy for a learning society is unstable and complex. (Contains 56 references.) (PKP)

Suggests that historians of British public libraries may be restricted in their ability to pose certain questions about their subject matter because of the structure of the institutions of library history. Discusses problem patrons; critiques of public libraries; and library access and social exclusion. (Contains 95 references.) (Author/LRW)

Examines introductory genres and their various realizations, conventionally used to introduce academic books and variously named as "introduction,""preface,""acknowledgement," and "publishers blurb" to investigate their nature, function, and structure within the context of current theory in genre analysis…

Recalls the author's experience of reading Violet Needham's "The Black Riders." Examines the book for its powerful version of family romance and its investigation of emotions, fears, longings; and desires children have about parents, growing up, puberty, and sex. (TB)

Apart from archival print collections, digital multimedia materials will be the primary form of library resources in the future. Argues that all published materials, print or electronic, are subject to analytical and critical examination. Describes art historian Erwin Panofsky's "Circulus Methodicus," a method of iconological analysis,…

Examines the causes of public anger and intellectual embarrassment with computer literacy and argues that it is no mere coincidence that intellectual embarrassment has become our besetting cultural vice at the same time that information technology proliferates. Roszak suggests that the book belongs to a rich and necessary way of thinking that…

Chronicles Piaget's and Vygotsky's criticism of each other's ideas on childhood egocentrism. Notes that genuine, critical dialog failed to develop because Piaget did not reply to Vygotsky's criticism at first. Five reasons for his reticence are considered: (1) a language barrier; (2) lack of knowledge; (3) quality of the criticism; (4) ideology;…

Examines different narratives of Native American education. Discusses the narrative about the nature and consequences of rhetorical and cultural transformation. Argues that rhetoric generated by Native Americans who have experienced dominant educational efforts in the United States reveals a form of mimesis that serves as a potent strategy for…

Expresses concerns about the way Hiebert et al. (1996) characterized Dewey's approach to thinking and problem solving. It argues that Hiebert et al.'s interpretation of Dewey downplays the crucial role of ideas in the problem-solving process while simultaneously elevating "action, over doing" as the key element in promoting greater…

States that African American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux earned himself a special place in the film history of the 1920s and 1930s for his artistry and his persistence and inventiveness in negotiating financial arrangements, which enabled him to continue producing films. Gives examples of and discusses Micheaux's skill at entrepreneurship. (PA)

A review of 54 critiques published in the "Review of Educational Research" related to articles in the same journal suggests that these published critiques and rejoinders have had limited impact on the scholarly literature, either because authors don't know about them or refuse to accept them. (SLD)

Presents 10 short accounts of Birmingham, England, administrators each talking about an area of professional practices, such as senior management teams in transition, managing change, professional development of middle managers. Includes critical analysis of these accounts. (Contains 42 references.)(PKP)

Discusses the use of poetry that addresses social, cultural, and ethnic experiences of oppressed groups in teaching to develop empathy. Describes a structured process for critical analysis of poetry to build understanding of diversity. (Contains 21 references.) (SK)

Considers how seeking "hidden meanings," attending to the language in which they are embedded, and sharing that experience with students seems to be a viable way to conceive of the essence of literary study. Describes a writing assignment (a "documented critical paper") based on Joseph Conrad's "Secret Sharer." (SG)

Selects seven journal articles that feature young adult novels and, in the commentary, covers a topic of importance in the teaching of adolescent literature: theory, social issues, history, exposition, and practice. Contains a summary of each novel, a summary of the accompanying article, as well as information about the journal and the article…