Asserts that, for citizens in a democracy to understand and act upon complex societal issues, they must be able to integrate knowledge from a variety of subjects. Traces the history of interdisciplinary social studies education and examines arguments of its supporters and detractors. (CFR)

Asserts that stereotyped images often interfere with accurate and effective instruction about Latin America. Describes the "traveling suitcases program" developed by the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. Compares the strengths and deficiencies of the traveling suitcase concept of instructional materials.…

Contends that instruction in schools from elementary through university levels is a seamless web in which numerous elements of subjects converge with elements from other subjects. Asserts that a variety of disciplines can be taught through a study of Christopher Columbus and the Columbus voyages. (CFR)

Presents a five-page study guide on the site selection of New Orleans (LA). Encourages students to recognize situational advantages determined by different historical periods. Asks students to recommend specific sites based on time and place variables. (CFR)

Contends that teaching multicultural courses in social studies often occurs without a complete understanding of the key concept of culture. Asserts that anthropology can provide this understanding because it is interdisciplinary and comparative. Provides four examples of anthropological models to guide multicultural education. (CFR)

Describes use of Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart," in an introductory geography course at the secondary school or college level. Provides a summary of the book's story, which deals with the impact of colonialism and Christianity on the culture of eastern Nigeria. Includes recommended instructional strategies…

Reviews the history and development of the "Our Working World" elementary textbook series, an example of the New Social Studies reform movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Describes the Organic Curriculum, which integrated the fundamental ideas of five social science disciplines. Maintains that implementing the K-6 program all at once was an…

Rebuts the case made by Donald Williams in "Making a Case for the Science Specialist." Argues that using science specialists gives the impression that science is only for certain people. Considers points made by preservice teachers in Williams' article concerning attitude, curricular concerns, and teaching science using real-life…

Argues that methods and procedures for teaching geography are becoming increasingly important as nongeography teachers present geographic concepts in other subjects. Describes an interdisciplinary instructional unit in which students use mathematical calculations to identify population centers in the United States and China. Provides maps, tables,…

Discusses "Private Eye," an approach to teaching which focuses on developing students as artists, writers, and scientists. Describes how this approach uses the jewelers loupe to examine everyday objects 5 or 10 times bigger, thus altering students' way of viewing the world through the change of scale and through analogy-provoking questions. (SR)

A survey of 41 faculty explored interdisciplinary teacher preparation programs that blend personnel standards from early childhood special education and early childhood education. The benefits and barriers to interdisciplinary, blended programs are discussed, along with the many concerns among faculty who are members of interdisciplinary teams in…

Describes the Practical Engagement Program (PEP) at the University of Michigan School of Information, an integral part of the professional master's program with the goal of providing mentored experience to help students integrate the application of classroom-taught theories, principles, and skills to specific problem outside of the classroom.…

Describes a course that bridges the gap between pure science and pure technology called Pre-Engineering. This course gives junior and senior students a chance to investigate the possibility of choosing engineering as a major in college as well as to experience hands-on activities, projects, laboratories, problem solving, and computer simulations…

Technological changes have caused a reexamination of the program to train chemical information specialists at Indiana University, resulting in the modification of existing courses and the creation of new courses and degree options. Plans for their implementation and for the establishment of joint industry-academic research projects are described.…

An interview with a colleague of linguist John Swales focuses on Swales' career study of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), particularly genre analysis and ESP and the growing interaction of two field, ESP for non-native speakers and composition studies, usually concerned with native speakers. Specific contributions made by Swales to the fields…