Argues that definitions of culture are validated according to various social theories. Examines the contrasting views of culture provided by culture studies and structuation theory. Considers the implications of these contrasts for art educators. (MJP)

Contends policies that develop personal autonomy and honor children's right to participate in school organization and curricular decisions teach democratic values and citizenship. Encourages active teacher intervention, suggesting children's limits reflect teacher expectations and lack of opportunity. Notes two studies where children have…

Explores the value of teaching art criticism and aesthetics to young children. Maintains that critical aesthetic experience reinforces such experiences in art production. Outlines seven methods to develop aesthetic language and shows how art criticism and aesthetics can be used by visiting a gallery or museum. (KM)

Examines present lack of judicial restraint by analyzing "Missouri v. Jenkins," a case upholding a court-ordered tax increase to fund school desegregation. Maintains that elected representatives placate interest groups and abdicate power in favor of the courts when political decisions are unpopular. Questions the implications for future…

Advocates teaching computer literacy and ethical behavior in allocation of computers in the schools. Suggests that, if citizens are computer illiterate, technology can threaten a democracy by allowing elite groups to manipulate information. Observes that computer education is available more often to privileged groups that perpetuates the status…

Discusses an investigation of how British secondary school geography teachers' attitudes and values influence their choices of objectives, content, and teaching methods. Focuses on approaches to development issues. Uses cluster analysis to summarize results. Notes the constraining influence of having to prepare students for public examinations.…

Maintains that controversial issues related to social studies can be addressed using a three-step process. Step one consists of expressing the issue as a dilemma. In step two the students analyze every aspect of the dilemma, engaging in discussion and argument. Step three, the class reaches a consensus. (MJP)

Presents a simple diagrammatic technique for conveying the idea of Ricardian equivalence or policy neutrality in the provision of public goods. Includes several diagrams illustrating basic positions regarding the relationship between voluntary public contributions and taxation. Provides a brief explanation of the illustrated concepts. (MJP)

Criticizes the presidential primary process as possibly leading to the destruction of the two-party system. Claims that the current process limits the competition to the rich and famous, enhances the worst aspects of campaigning, and evaluates candidates purely on their political skills. Briefly discusses some reform proposals. (MJP)

An increase in nontraditional students in traditionally white South African universities suggests the need for a new learning environment. Semistructured interviews with six Rand Afrikaans University students focus on this transformation process and the various ways to manage it, with implications for the university discussed. The interview…

We employ a mail survey of private developers that uses conjoint choice experiments and Likert-scaled attitudinal questions to examine preferences for policy instruments and incentives intended to encourage brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Our analysis suggests that developers judge public hearing requirements at brownfield redevelopments…

This paper is the latest installment in a series that is designed to bridge the gap between teaching and practice by developing classroom applications based on a current research article from the "American Sociological Review". We discuss the ways in which a recent "ASR" paper on child care fatalities can be used to help students explore Burawoy's…

While on the surface baseball cards may appear to be a mundane object of child's play, they are precious tools for examining U.S. society. Baseball cards not only hold a wealth of information regarding the players they feature they also reveal much about the state of society at the time of their production and the individuals who collect them. In…

This article presents answers to the question: What do powerful educational leaders think about training practitioners for social justice? The data are drawn from interviews with a former governor and leaders from the American Association of School Administration (AASA), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), National…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the impact upon a group of ten early childhood inservice educators of a collaborative professional development course in early literacy development presented using the tools of narrative and reflection. The study considered impact in terms of teachers' beliefs, values, practice, and sense of…