Argues that the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer provides a useful theoretical framework from which to discuss ethical issues in the technical communication classroom. Analyzes a previously published case study to demonstrate how hermeneutics can shed light on the ways that writers can be unconscious of ethical problems in their…

Discusses how in this issue's special section, three leading scholars in the comparative study of education explore research questions and methods from three social science frameworks: postmodernism, feminism, and political economy/political sociology. Describes the articles and asserts that these analyses address significant gaps in the existing…

For women to develop competence at all, but especially in high-status technologies, is to violate the unwritten law of gender. Positivist, constructivist, and critical theory accounts of gender and equity leave the status quo intact. Postmodern theorizing allows a different blueprint for change. (SK)

Examines how a technocratic approach to vocational curriculum limits its emancipatory potential because it is ahistorical, lacks critical reflection, and considers knowledge an objective realm of facts. Addresses the political nature of vocational curriculum development and explores alternative, democratic approaches. (SK)

Explains that in the study of law, postmodernism's interpretive turn has given rise to a wealth of scholarship analyzing the relationship of law's rhetoric to its social, cultural, and political contexts. Argues that legal writing professors must learn to grow beyond their narrow conception of rhetoric to help students become adept at the…

Asserts that arguments about traditional logical empiricist conceptions of science have figured in ill-conceived debates over educational administration theory. Reviews these debates and their consequences for administrative theory. Urges adoption of a nonfoundational, coherentist view of knowledge justification leading to a broader conception of…

Questions using the "high theory" of postmodern thought to construct a complete, lucid theory of educational administration. Problems with postmodernism's concept of power and its rejection of the expert role make the theory a doubtful candidate for a protagonist administrator role. Pragmatism and local theory are more reliable…

Examines writings on educational theory and philosophy from the 1990s, tracing interlocking themes of tragedy and pastiche as they intersect with the role of listening in educational theory. The paper examines the absolution of tragedy, highlighting differences and similarities in the accounts of pragmatism and postmodernism in how conflict is…

Outlines the history of the home economies profession and its integrated core curriculum in the first half of the 20th century. Analyzes how postmodern views of change and skepticism about science has influenced the evolution of family and consumer sciences curriculum. (SK)

Presents a critical review of the three historical studies of Aspasia written by feminist historians. Asks how historians and scholars can write radically alternative histories of rhetoric without compromising their credibility. (NH)

Defends a postmodern approach to philosophy of education which is argued to best provide guidance and context for dialogue in a culturally pluralistic society such as South Africa. The impetus for this defense of a postmodern approach is located in the challenge facing South Africa's education after the deligitimization of the Fundamental…

Presents an approach to contract grading based on a postmodern view of teaching as facilitation. Explains how to negotiate and renegotiate contracts, outlines limitations and challenges, and highlights ways in which contract grading assists in learning management concepts. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Argues that a growing awareness of the fundamentally social character of language assessment challenges a rethinking of priorities and responsibilities in language testing research. This awareness is the result of the treatment of the social character of educational assessment in Messick's (1989) work on validity and by actual changes triggered by…

In the years following Paulo Freire's death in May 1997, there has been no shortage of published material on his work. From brief tributes and biographical accounts to full-length critiques in academic journals and books, much has been written about this influential scholar and activist. Part of the explanation for this ongoing interest lies in…

Various arguments are adduced to develop the notion that the mestizaje of Mexico have developed a cultural style, that the style manifests itself architecturally, and that it is not a mistake to label the style "postmodern." The work of Goldblatt is cited, and material descriptive of the Church of Santa Maria Tonantzinla are alluded to.…