Median polishing, an exploratory data statistical analysis technique, was used to study achievement patterns for men and women on the Pharmacy College Admission Test over a six-year period. In general, a declining trend in scores was found, and males performed better than females, with the largest differences found in chemistry and biology.…

Presents the findings of a Center for the Study of Community Colleges study of liberal and non-liberal arts curricula in American community colleges. Displays curricula and enrollments in credit courses broken down by discipline or field of study. Discusses the transferability of non-liberal arts courses. (MAB)

Discusses the falling enrollments in sociology departments. Suggests that the decline may be a result of quality of subject matter presentation, an increase in career-oriented students, and the development of social work and criminal justice into departments separate from sociology. Urges sociology departments to strengthen their political…

A survey of approximately 60 college faculty members in several disciplines, all opposed to the Persian Gulf War, demonstrates their commitment to bringing the Gulf Crisis into the classroom democratically, not as an attempt to mobilize antiwar sentiment, but as an exercise in critical thinking. (SLD)

A study correlated the results of 25 medical school course examinations (largely multiple-choice), a standardized critical thinking inventory, undergraduate and medical school grade point averages, and medical college admissions test scores for 196 preclinical medical students. Findings suggest that objective multiple-choice examinations can at…

Proposes a curricular model for historically black colleges and universities based on A. L. Locke's idea that critical value inquiry should be the principle of curricular revision and integration. Suggests a core curriculum of material identified by each discipline as necessary for all undergraduates. (SLD)

Describes a study that used interviews to explore the influence of personality, subject discipline, and organizational structure on the information behavior of scientists. The use of cluster analysis to reveal groupings in the data is explained, computer use is examined, and gender differences are discussed. (60 references) (LRW)

Recommends academic history departments review present course listings and devise more structured programs. Describes four one-semester core courses designed to promote world history perspectives. Includes a brief outline for each course. Reviews past college and university history department programs and changes in the curriculum since the 1960s.…

An annual national study found that the eight-year trend for engineering faculty to earn more than their colleagues in other disciplines may be ending in a few years, with professors in business-related fields moving toward a salary advantage. Private college salary gains outpaced those at public institutions this year. (MSE)

Describes use studies of CD-ROM products in American and western European academic, public, and special libraries. Comparative results of the surveys are reported, including effect of CD-ROMs on library use of online databases, difficulties with different vendors' search techniques, and desired subjects of optical products. (10 references) (LRW)

Advocates a model of multicultural education plus integration to ensure that multicultural education is both taught by committed experts and integrated into general courses. Defining a rigorous scholarly and research agenda and developing strong leaders and standards for practice will ensure the place of multicultural education as an academic…

Analyzes the use of imperatives in five scholarly journal articles (main text and notes) in each of ten disciplines, and follow-up interviews with authors using imperatives within main text indicate specific patterns and purposes of usage and field-specific expectations and conventions. Discusses implications for instruction of non-native-speaking…

A former graduate student of linguist Ann M. Johns describes briefly her career and contributions, both published and personal, to the field of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Her teaching, research, publications, and the specific emphases and approaches in her work are highlighted. (MSE)

Examines the dichotomy between area studies and the more traditional discipline of political science. Discusses those areas of political science that relate to area studies and suggests several reasons for an intransigence to change within the more traditional discipline. Recommends a cooperative and interdisciplinary effort between both camps.…

Compares and contrasts Joseph Schumpeter's 1942 classic of economic thought, "Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy," with Edward Bellamy's 1888 utopian novel, "Looking Backward." Both works criticize capitalism and arrive at socialist solutions. Bellamy's entertaining novel provides a useful benchmark for students analyzing…