The purpose of this symposium is to provide readers with a general understanding of Japanese art and aesthetics education and its interaction with other cultures. The essays cover a variety of topics, including historical, cross-cultural, theoretical, and practical perspectives. Following an introduction by Ako Okazaki, the following papers are…

The special education profession in the USA has witnessed a recent struggle between researchers who defend a positivistic approach to knowledge and practice and "postmodern" special educators who challenge that approach. An analysis based on a sociological theory of heresy provides insight into the social and professional dynamics operating in…

The role of the nation state is now changing, and with it the place of education. This book explores the role of education in the "post-national" era, and asks the following questions: How far can national states control their education systems in a world of global markets and supranational political organization? How distinctive will…

In the literature since the 1970's, the notion that education should serve as a social leveler has given way to the image of the educational institution as a business-like enterprise. This change in the perceived role of higher education has been accompanied by increased pressure on institutions to provide measurements of educational outcomes. For…

This book looks at the implications of educational practices in communities that are differentiated by issues of language, culture, and technology. Trifonas argues that a "community" is at once a gathering of like-minded individuals in solidarity of purpose and conviction, and also a gathering that excludes others. The chapters in this…

Connecting theory and practice to the moral use of power reveals why social justice, as an educational intervention, is relevant in every era. Social justice requires ongoing struggle and cannot be separated from the educational theories and practices of professionals, schools, academic disciplines, and governmental agents. Insights from John…

Drawing on the work of early childhood teachers and teacher educators, this volume provides examples of creative ways in which practitioners and theorists are rethinking their work. Grounded in principles of equity, difference, and the recognition of racial, ethnic, and sexual diversity, the book provides a range of thinking, theorizing, and…

This paper examines the importance of the electronic community and its conversation for educators. Highlights include: (1) connections in electronic communities, including listservs, World Wide Web-based discussion groups, and the "conversational web"; (2) cyber-collaborative learning, including virtual classrooms, developing student…

Examines the way recent childhood policy initiatives in Britain have generated contradictory models of child competence and adults' role, and attempts to locate policy within broader understandings of social change. Draws from case material on two dominant child care issues: child sex abuse and school deviance. (BGC)

Describes a model for an education curriculum that includes three spheres of activities: economic activities, social activities, and spiritual-cultural activities. These activities are incorporated throughout a liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Includes a list of activities by category and a chart detailing contrasts between modernism and…

Provides a summary of postmodernist thinking and attempts to find a place for social studies in a system that abjures all accepted notions of authority and objectivity. Concludes that postmodernism's view of a world ruled by a multiple discourses is not inimical to social studies' emphasis on critical analysis. (MJP)

Considers recent changes in issues and strategies of art criticism and how these relate to computer-generated images and computer assisted instruction. These changes both reflect and inhabit the decentered, fragmentary, and flexible postmodernist vision. Preservice art teachers should become familiar with these changes. (MJP)

The construction and reconstruction of public school and college curricula cannot be understood without an understanding of how they are intimately tied to larger social currents and cross-currents. This book attempts to provide a coherent yet inconclusive synthesis of the progressive tradition that challenges both the curricular status quo and…

This publication presents manuscripts and research reports by graduate students. Accompanying papers from their mentors establish a context for the student papers. In this volume the works are organized by sponsoring university. Student papers presented are: (1) "A Naturalistic Study of Art Choices in a Preschool Setting" (Karen Thomas);…

Serving as a vehicle for raising the profile of and thereby gaining recognition for the important research and development work being conducted in Canada in support of children and families, the "Research Connections Canada" series compiles research and/or development papers as well as background papers, analytical literature reviews,…