Defines character education as the intentional teaching of ethical reasoning and analysis, the nurturing of moral emotions, and the encouragement of, and insistence upon, moral behavior. Maintains that schools, parents, and communities are all responsible for the moral development of children. Briefly discusses the work of the Ethics Resource…

Provides background information and learning activities for six areas of inquiry concerning media literacy and violence. These are (1) "Monitoring 'Action' in TV Cartoons"; (2) "To Market, To Market (Share)"; (3) "What's 'Educational' Anyway"; (4) "Rating the TV Rating System"; (5) "Nine Risks of TV Violence"; and (6) "Teenagers in the News." (MJP)

Describes an intraprofessional collaboration between a graduate program in art therapy and expressive therapies, an urban public school system, and a community mental health agency. Examines the important role of art and expressive therapies in providing services to underserved, at-risk children in public schools. Suggests the development of a…

Examines the relationship between social problems, financial constraints, and democratic values in Costa Rica and how these impact on the educational establishment. Although long considered an exemplar of developing nation democracy, Costa Rica's social stratification is reflected in its inadequate public school funding. (MJP)

Defines evangelization as a cooperative religious educational experience regarding the efficacy of the gospel. Considers its role in the lives of young people. Concludes that evangelization must incorporate and address current social concerns as well as questions of belief and unbelief. (MJP)

Reveals that teaching about controversial issues increases students' self-confidence and interest in civic participation. Asserts that the current proliferation of social problems combined with exploitative media coverage necessitates civil and objective study of controversial issues. Includes several examples of, and approaches to, teaching about…

Lookism, more pervasive than sexism or racism, is the ranking of persons that attributes worth based on random variations in supposed attributes of personal attractiveness. Presents the changes educators must bring about if girls--and boys--are to break free of the humiliation of societally determined unattractiveness. (LSR)

Recommends organizing U.S. history courses around central ideas rather than chronological periods. Argues that this method affords a better grasp of the principal developments in the nation's history by treating issues in depth. Lists eight broad themes around which a U.S. history course can be constructed. (MJP)

Develops a framework for understanding gender issues in the education of boys. Summarizes new masculinity research, examines educational research for evidence on the making of masculinities in schools, explores the logic of educational work with boys, examines public controversies about boys' education, and notes the prospects of changing gender…

Presents the central features of an economic theory of social equilibrium based on the theory of distributive equilibrium. Uses the situation in Latin America in the 1980s and 1990s to test the validity of the theory. Argues that excessive inequality cripples sustained growth and democratic movements. (MJP)

Describes the current state of juvenile criminal justice programs and the historical and legal precedents that created it. The current system rests on concepts of confidentiality, due process, and alternatives to jail. Many states are considering modifying aspects of these because of the increase in juvenile crime. (MJP)

Presents a lesson plan that teaches students to analyze the goals and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system. Instructional materials include handouts describing three criminal situations involving teenagers and copies of an article on the juvenile justice system. Activities include small group discussions followed by a class discussion.…

Presents learning activities and resources for teaching senior level criminal law courses. Topics covered include arrest, search and seizure, bail, trial procedures, sentencing, and prisons. Objective is to encourage students to address societal issues. (LS)

Summarizes E. D. Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy," focusing on four separate arguments. Compares U.S. and Canadian education and society, particularly in relationship to multiculturalism and bilingualism. Concludes that Hirsch trivializes culture by presenting as no more than a common convention of effective national communication.…

Presents an annotated bibliography, arranged alphabetically by author, of 85 doctoral dissertations published between 1991 and 1993 on topics related to moral development and values education. Includes dissertations on the teacher's impact on moral development and on teaching about value issues in social studies. (CFR)