The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently commissioned a study to review the research that finds liberal bias run amok in academe. Believing that the AFT is not a dispassionate observer of this debate, this article provides "The Chronicle of Higher Education's" survey of the genre. The studies reviewed include: (1) "Political Bias in the…

In this article, the author reports the results of a national survey taken by state assessment directors on the impact of No Child Left Behind on nonassessed subjects between the years 2001-5. Results indicate that during this time, statewide assessment of science and writing increased whereas it decreased in the social studies, arts and…

This paper describes an experiment in which Family Medicine residents composed, read, and discussed their poems as a way of bringing to life their often complex relationships with patients. It argues that this approach mobilizes the physicians' own creativity in the service of reflective practice and improved doctor-patient relationships. This…

In this article, the author describes seven movement-related areas of cognitive neuroscience research that will play key roles in shifting the current behavioral orientation of teaching and learning to an orientation that also incorporates cognitive neuroscience discoveries. These areas of brain research include: (1) mirroring system; (2) plastic…

Poor people have been described in a range of ways. This article begins by tracing the term "underclass" in its social and political context from the 1960s to present, examining its transference from academia to lay usage through analysis of widely accessible periodicals of the time. Next, it engages the work of Earl Shorris, a writer who devised…

This short essay along with workshop materials outlines constructive ways for Humanities teachers to stimulate discussions on religion. The activities and procedures are based on the author's own experience and philosophy. Student centered discussions are effective and less risky for engaging in religious issues. Student discussions also are the…

This paper explores the possibility of resource sharing in the East Asian Library at the University of Ohio. The case analysis of vernacular periodicals in humanities consists of quantitative analysis based on interlibrary loan (ILL) transaction records and in-house studies as well as quantitative/qualitative evaluation based on faculty journal…

Because of Florida's rapidly growing ethnic populations, public school teachers of music and other disciplines in the humanities and fine arts in Florida must assess and adjust their curricula to include Latin American and Caribbean music and cultures in their programs. This will give curricular representation to a large percentage of Florida's…

This report results from regional forums across the country to assess the current state of nonprofit arts in the United States. The report describes a cautionary tale about this nation's cultural legacy, the economic and social conditions surrounding the nonprofit arts, compartmentalization of the arts in community life, the place of the arts in…

This paper discusses several of the many books and articles which have appeared during the past decade which chronicle the supposedly precarious state of the humanities in higher education. The paper focuses on the first book, the surprise best seller, "The Closing of the American Mind," written by Allan Bloom in 1987 and especially on a…

Presented by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and focusing on education and the arts, humanities, and sciences, these proceedings present a public discourse about useful knowledge for the 1990s. Ernest L. Boyer discusses the need for students to learn to make connections by putting their learning in historical, social, and ethical perspective.…

This paper recounts the efforts undertaken to encourage greater participation and engagement from students in a college-level humanities class. Three types of activities were utilized: (1) connected to homework and attempted to focus on assigned readings; (2) attempted to get students to foucs on what was happening in the classroom on that…

Arkansas supports a statewide network of academic alliances in the humanities. Academic alliances are collaborative groups of school and college teachers in the same discipline, established to improve teaching and learning, promote ongoing professional development, and foster lasting professional relationships. Staff of regional educational…

The marriage of the humanities to public discussion of major current issues is an invitation to understand how various points of view are embedded in one's history, values, visions of the future, and an understanding of what is right, wrong, and necessary. The essays in this volume examine three issues: abortion, economic competition, and racial…

Student choices in completing recently initiated general education distribution requirements at a public four-year college were studied in 1982. The bachelor of arts degree requirements consist of two mathematics courses, three natural science courses, three social science courses, three humanities courses, and a two-course Western heritage…