One college professor finds that while supplemental instruction (SI) sessions in the humanities resemble those in social, physical, and biological sciences, there are also qualitative differences that derive from discipline-specific expectations. These are rooted in the epistemology and axiology of the humanities, the expansive nature of…

Describes a survey of academic libraries that explored serials collection assessment. Highlights include serials budget allocations; serials cancellation projects; changes in ratio of allocation by subject area; use of computers for serials collection assessment; use of vendors, especially for statistics; and future plans for collection…

A study based on national data found that the average duration of doctoral study was related to departmental emphases on scholarly careers and the resources to implement those emphases. Patterns varied by general discipline area and by specific discipline, suggesting a need for detailed analysis by discipline. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the nature of social studies as a discipline. Defines it as citizenship education for teaching students how to deal with change and conflict in society. Suggests that social studies teachers believe that content should be interdisciplinary, emphasize themes and concepts dealing with social and personal issues, and teach the process of…

The design and development of a university course aimed to meet the needs of English-as-a-Second-Language liberal arts students is reported. The development of critical language awareness in relation to general and subject-specific study skills is discussed, and the term "critical communication skills" is introduced. (78 references)…

Traces the development of political science as an academic discipline in Nigeria. Examines the role and activities of professional associations as related to political science and political science's impact on the public policy process and society. Includes sample course outlines and syllabi to further describe the growth and development of the…

Describes the United Kingdom's National Writing Project, examining schools in Berkshire that emphasized writing to teach secondary school students science, math, design, and technology. Results suggest teachers need more knowledge about writing for learning in school subjects if they are going to stress the role of writing across the curriculum.…

An outsider to the field of deaf education questions the seeming ambiguousness in terminology, lack of scientific research, continuing controversies, and lack of definitive answers. Questions concern such issues as the difference between "Deaf" and "deaf" and the feasibility of the American Sign Language/English-as-a-Second-Language proposal.…

Study investigated factors influencing students' choice of teaching subjects during Nigerian preservice primary teacher education, noting an imbalance favoring liberal arts. Final year students wrote biodatas about their choices. Choices in year three were influenced by level of performance during the first two years, employment opportunities, and…

Reports results of task force survey. States that the goal of a political science degree program is to maximize students' capacity to analyze and interpret the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes. Offers recommendations in subject matter content, methodology, teaching, and skills. Concludes that the major…

Discusses the maintenance and future of African-American studies within the context of contemporary intellectual ideas. The institutionalization of African-American studies and the creation of the first doctoral program in African-American studies at Temple University in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) marked the flowering of the discipline. (SLD)

In reforming curricula to achieve a multicultural perspective, the goal is not to emphasize the contributions of various groups but rather to understand how we all emerged from complex syntheses and intergroup relations. The new emphasis on multiculturalism and minority and gender studies is enhancing U.S. education. (SLD)

Attempts to define a paradigm that helps shape the African-American studies discipline, and argues that emphasis must be placed on generating practical and emancipatory knowledge. African-American studies is a necessary discipline if Afrocentric scholars are to be generated who have a commitment to being scholar activists. (SLD)

Responses of 250 college faculty to questions about "good" teaching were analyzed by gender, rank, and discipline. Overall, few gender differences were found. Those that emerged include greater female faculty interest in student self-esteem, class interaction/participation, and seeking outside assistance in improving teaching. Male faculty valued…

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…