Reviews the literary forms and trends of Chicano literature. Discusses the growing critical canon accompanying the development of this literature, and describes pedagogical approaches to courses and curriculum planning in this area. (SR)

Examines the symbolic oppositions that structure the "Appeal," together with its strategy of crisis taken from Puritan jeremiads. Accounts for Chase's success in pulling together disparate forces of the free North. Explores events which laid the ground for the Republican party and civil war. (RAE)

Three class activities for French second language instruction are described (interpretation of a literary text with reinterpretation by a less experienced group; an exercise in political expressions; and a wheel-of-history game), and a sequel in a series of articles on the vocabulary of language teaching is presented. (MSE)

In 1969, American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island dramatized Native demands for self-determination, tribal lands, and tribal identities. Meanwhile, a blossoming American Indian literary movement began awakening America to Indians' continued existence and providing texts of "lived experience" that created a new kind of Indian leadership and…

Argues that multiculturalism in education, because it is viewed as such a virtuous undertaking, is actually creating another form of tyranny, one that limits discussion, inhibits free expression, and disguises questionable interpretations and analyses as indisputable truths. Multiculturalism is portrayed as creating dogmatic assertions, wishful…

Describes the process for reporting and investigating child sexual abuse cases. Reporting mandates are discussed, as are several concerns and criticisms about how these mandates are implemented. Additionally discussed are key issues related to the investigation of claims. Specific controversies, such as those concerning the use of videotaping,…

Reviews five characteristics of Gothic literature that makes it appealing to adolescents: (1) extremes of emotion; (2) journey of self-revelation; (3) individual against the unknown; (4) rebellion against authority; and (5) sympathy with the outcast. Appends a 30-item bibliography of recommended Gothic literature. (TB)

Argues that the recent feminist analyses of gender and power can illuminate the situation of the profession of composition studies as it has struggled for legitimacy and power within the academy. Focuses on the negative consequences of identification with the sciences and social sciences on the part of empirical researchers as the field struggled…

Gives criteria with which to evaluate children's and young adult books that depict mentally disabled characters, including accuracy of information, lack of stereotypes, literary quality, confronting the disability, and not "using" disabled characters. Six exemplary titles are examined in light of these criteria, and 11 other books are…

Studies 53 undergraduate preservice English teachers to determine their critical orientation to the teaching of literary analysis in the classroom prior to their taking methods courses. Finds that these future teachers were already convinced of the necessity of multiple interpretations. (TB)

Examines the effects of literature discussion approaches on preservice teachers' purpose in writing. Explores the viability of the instruments developed by D. Wiseman using responses from older students. Contends that a transactive criticism approach can be a valuable way of incorporating literary analysis without negating the reader's experience…

A major problem in contemporary secondary school anthologies is the lack of discussion about the acculturating experiences of the dozens of European ethnic groups that have been migrating to this country for centuries. Criteria are proposed for selecting titles in European ethnic literature for students, and some titles are suggested. (SLD)

Discusses how President Clinton's view of citizenship is flawed, leading to his attempt to recast big-government programs, such as AmeriCorps, as instruments of individual and community empowerment. The debate over school lunch funding is offered as an example of Clinton's refusal to turn over power, responsibility, and resources to local control.…

Examines problems of interpretation posed by Avi's "Nothing but the Truth," particularly those concerning what truth is and what access the reader has to it. Shows how a "documentary novel" employs "objective facts" but allows various characters to manipulate them. Suggests that a traditional approach to the novel is problematic and recommends…

Argues that debate is not antithetical to Japanese culture and that Japan has indigenous traditions of argument and debate. Outlines the Japanese tradition of argumentation prior to the "opening to the West" in 1853. Suggests a more expansive model of debate as appropriate to cross-cultural analysis. (HB)