Discusses the relationship of ideology, social theory, critical analysis, hegemony, and objectivity in the work of educational historians. Comments that the training of educational historians often neglects intensive ideological analysis of historical research. Argues that study of historiographical methodology and consciousness of its dimensions…

Exploration of and comparisons between structural, stylistic, and linguistic similarities and differences in two modern Chinese semiautobiographical texts points out both authors' methods for depicting the ironies within their socio-political and ideological conditions. (19 references) (CB)

Types of criteria for the development of formal adult education theory are (1) epistemological (ways in which categories of knowledge are judged to be intellectually sound); (2) communicative (necessity for a theory to communicate tenets clearly to practitioners); and (3) critically analytic (way in which a theory invites scrutiny of its central…

Offers three possibilities for confronting problems in literary periodization in the German literature classroom, demonstrating that an awareness of the complexities underlying literary-historical schemes of classification helps students appreciate more fully and accurately the dynamic upheavals characteristic of many literary epochs. (Author/CB)

Presents a response to Lorraine Code's critique of Carol Gilligan's abortion study. Urges that abortion be read as a socially constructed experience based on more than women's moral decisions. Discusses language and experience to present abortion as an area of contested meaning in historical and ideological constructions of social life. (DK)

School boards should not tolerate having any members subjecting teachers--either individually or as a profession--to harsh criticism and extremely negative statements. Teacher bashing can cause employee relations to decline, and teachers' negative attitudes to permeate the schools. Ultimately, students are the losers. (MLF)

Considers the effects of gender on the way high school students respond to literature. Provides results of a study designed to measure how gender differences affect reader response to a poem by Marla Ropchan. Shows how the female students read "against" themselves. (HB)

Recounts the life of Adela Sequeyro, actress, journalist, and producer of two feature films in the 1930s. (RS)

Examines Zora Neale Hurston's work, particularly her collection of folklore and ethnography of the American South, "Mules and Men." Looks at the author's role, the ways the ethnographer inscribes herself into the text, and speculates about Hurston's understanding of the limits of the impersonal researcher. (JB)

Various critiques of the 20 most important ideas of science as presented in the book "Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy" are reported. A list of these ideas is provided. Different points of view on these ideas are discussed. (CW)

Studies the tone of essays published in the journal "PMLA" from 1975 to 1988. Notes that most are adversarial, and many are sarcastic or condescending. Suggests a sameness within the argumentation that may reflect writers' academic socialization. Concludes that some feminist writers dislike the adversary model and do not employ it. (SG)

Using a recent, acclaimed French novel about the history of a family for illustration, techniques for literary study in the language class are presented. The approach addresses not only the historical and familial substance of the story but the novel's format, construction, and style. (MSE)

Explores the mystery of why readers choose to read texts. Considers the psychology of reading for pleasure and the figures of speech linking reading with love. Discusses a wide array of books and the reasons that readers have felt such a strong attachment to them. (HB)

Develops a conception of science as a complex series of cultural practices mediated in an through discourse. Uses a case study of the cold fusion controversy to demonstrate that internal scientific practices cannot explain adequately the eventual closure of the debate and that those explanations are found in the rhetorical practices of…

Agrees with many of the points expressed in Herbert Zimiles's criticism of quantitative research in this issue, but argues that the shortcomings identified by Zimiles are present in many qualitative studies as well. Both quantitative and qualitative research need to follow high standards of research design and execution. (MDM)