Traditionally, university-level general education courses in English focus on the appreciation of literature. A fundamental premise of this approach is that literate people enjoy reading because they can talk about books with friends, which makes the classroom a sort of modern-day coffee house. Contributing to this pedagogical philosophy is the…

It is an open question whether popular culture courses are effective sites in which to instill the kinds of critical media literacies that might contribute to students acting in support of social justice in their everyday lives. A course called "The Uses of Popular Culture" focuses on contemporary multicultural American society to…

This speech by a black congressman from Missouri concerns the context in which general questions about black children must be answered. These questions include: (1) How can service providers, institutions, and government entities implement a vision for the future of black children? and (2) How can organizations that serve black children ensure…

One of the most interesting controversies in the theory of teaching composition--and one that has profound consequences for classroom practice--is the debate over "ideological" or "radical" pedagogy. In the minds of most mainstream Americans, an ideological education is associated with dictatorship and state control of…

The report from an informal state-by-state survey lists incidents that implicate the principle of separation of church and state. The report is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every church-state problem in the United States. Rather, it is intended to be a "snapshot" of conflicts throughout the country. The document covers the…

The sources of political violence against Guatemala's rural poor are traced in this document for high school global education classes. The paper summarizes "Witness to Political Violence in Guatemala: The Suppression of a Rural Development Movement" (Oxfam America's Impact Audit No. 2). The study was based on 115 respondents, both…

Argues that the question for those concerned with education and politics is to determine the possibilities, limits and likely consequences of community control of the schools or its alternatives, and that by taking particular political decisions it will be possible to shape extra-political factors so as to either to enhance or to limit the…

Describes cross-national research being conducted on the consequences of selective participation in politics. The research suggests that the traditional institutions of political mobilization in the United States tend to limit the participatory opportunities of the less affluent. (MLH)

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol discusses a series of speeches by the Minister of State designed to initiate a "great debate" about British universities. Issues include "more graduates in desirable subjects for less money," manpower planning, the right balance between universities and polytechnics,…

Describes political viewpoints surrounding a Congressional plan to create a National Science Foundation (NSF) program that would allow public interest groups greater participation in deciding what types of scientific research should be funded. (MLH)

Describes the financial crises in colleges and universities caused by the enactment of federal social legislation, such as equal employment opportunity provisions, the Equal Pay Act, minimum wage law, unemployment insurance, and affirmative action programs. (MLH)

The consequences of Watergate for children, their education, and their ethical and moral commitment is discussed in terms of the child's development of moral judgment, and in terms of the practical issues of how values are transmitted from one generation to another. (Author/AM)

Fifteen and sixteen year olds in three comprehensive schools were asked about such topics as interest in race relations lessons, prominent politicians, social problems worthy of priority treatment, and, interest in lessons on poverty and development. It is stated that a moderate proportion showed an awareness of racial issues and an interest in…

This bulletin's objective is stated to be to explore the present spectrum of opinion among black leaders and the cultural and political backgrounds that have influenced current thought; the responses of blacks in putting family planning into practice are also outlined, together with some probable trends in family size. [Available from Population…

Although many factors discourage the movement to build a community college on Chicago's wealthy North Shore, a few leaders with political clout won state sanction for such an institution. A flaw in the state law denies the area's citizens a referendum on the issue, but corrective legislation is now pending. (NHM)