Describes the 1993 demise of the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, in which the college was eliminated and its departments assigned to other units. Discusses the pressures of politics, money, intrigue, and alumni support, which all played a role. Notes lessons learned. (SR)

A discussion of the status of social work in academe considers its dual roles within the university as both a discipline and a profession and identifies eight criteria that differentiate professional from academic disciplines. Cooperation, identity, education, leadership, and knowledge-building are seen as key to finding social work's proper…

This study evaluating race and gender differences in the occurrence and treatment of disciplinary problems in 4,391 elementary and secondary school children's files found substantial differences between males and females and between whites and African Americans in number of referrals for disciplinary action, frequency of corporal punishment, and…

A historical overview of disciplinary practices used in U.S. classrooms shows that corporal punishment has been a consistent and conspicuous part of schooling since the beginning. Alternatives aimed at minimizing classroom punishment and disciplining students in a more systematic and psychologically oriented way are now part of teacher preparation…

Examines the relationship of instructional designers and content experts and suggests methods to make these relationships more successful, including simplifying language to eliminate jargon; emphasizing the benefits of instructional design involvement; and focusing on interpersonal communication skills. Four sample scripts for instructional…

Comprehensive data from alternate years of annual salary surveys in public universities were analyzed from 1979/80 to 1989/90. Pay compression worsened in some disciplines (business) more than in other high-demand areas, but not all business disciplines were affected to the same degree. Computer/information science and engineering have made…

According to the 26th annual Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup Poll, the growth of fighting/violence/gangs and poor discipline are the most serious problems facing today's schools. Parents rate their community schools highly but assign only passing grades to the nation's schools. Most favor character education and President Clinton's education initiatives…

The Johnstown (Pennsylvania) Middle School has adopted a simple, practical school bus discipline program that refers disruptive students to the bus-duty teacher to discuss the incident. The bus driver's written report activates the bus-rider training program, featuring temporary loss of riding privileges, a simulated bus ride, a safety video, a…

Describes an elementary school exercise in which students are assigned to write letters about their acts of misbehavior to persons involved in the incidents. Points out that such letters contain the elements of (1) a real, knowable audience; (2) internal motivation; and (3) a concern for clarity. Includes examples of student letters. (SG)

A discussion of the developmental path of the Black Studies movement focuses on its struggle for recognition as an independent and dynamic discipline, indicators of progress, and barriers to recognition. The evolution of Black Studies toward departmental status at Pennsylvania State University is chronicled. (MSE)

The relationship between second-language acquisition (SLA) and other disciplines is examined, beginning with a review of SLA studies and the broader field of applied linguistics and language pedagogy. It is argued that SLA must be recognized as a field important to linguistics, pedagogy, and psychology. (37 references) (Author/LB)

Discusses the internal and external challenges confronting traditional early childhood education in China and describes three types of early childhood programs (nurseries, kindergartens, and preprimary programs) in China. Discusses topics of curriculum, physical environment, typical daily schedules, teaching methods, guidance and discipline, and…

Argues that both the increased theoretical productivity in the field of communication as well as the increased confusion about theory are best explained by the influence of a third variable: a general transformation of the human sciences characterized by blurred genres. (SR)

Considers how the troubles affecting the field of communication are linked to the decline of modernism. Argues that the future of the field lies in exploring both microscopic and macroscopic social changes in a postmodern world. Proposes an agenda for this research. (SR)

Identifies five overarching values central to disciplinary disputes in communication, and how their relative importance changes depending on prevailing social, economic, and intellectual conditions. Explores discipline-level values in the 1980s, and how value structures are likely to shift in the 1990s. Proposes a value hierarchy for the future.…