Three basic orientations to problem solving are defined and related to four profiles of problem environment. The contingency between problem-solving orientations and problem environment is presented by means of three formal models that are translated to fit the students' learning environment. Implications for further studies are discussed. (JD)

Presents a theoretical description of public relations for scholars, practitioners, and students. Suggests it is useful to view public relations as an area of study. Describes how the public relations process has applications in research and theory development, pedagogy, and practice. (MS)

This article recommends to dance faculty several steps to take in order to obtain equal status for dance with other physical education departments at colleges and universities. (IAH)

Challenges the intellectual separation of interpersonal and mass media communication, arguing that this division rests primarily on grounds of historical convenience and university politics. Discusses the consequences of this dichotomy and suggests ways of encouraging intellectual exchange between the two subdisciplines. (MM)

The four-part Teaching for Understanding framework covers the full range of intellectual disciplines. Different disciplines call upon different analytic styles, problem-solving approaches, and findings, temperaments, and intelligences. This article explores stages of student development, ranging from intuitive, common-sense theories about the…

Explores whether experiential education is considered an academic discipline (based on theory) or a profession (based on practice). Telephone interviews with the Board of Directors for the Association for Experiential Education indicate a need for integrating theory and practice. Experiential education's commitment to shared use of knowledge…

Reports findings from a bibliometric study of research articles published in the "Bulletin of the Medical Library Association," the "Journal of the Japan Medical Library Association," and the "Medical Information Services" from 1990 to 1992. Subject categories, length of articles, methods of research, and number of…

What is perceived as poor fit between liberal arts and the individual disciplines results not from narrow subject matter or analytical focus but from the disciplines keeping too many of the interesting questions to themselves. College students are not exposed enough to the reasons their teachers find their fields compelling. (MSE)

Describes a study that investigated the place and role of citation analysis in information science literature and in other social science disciplines. Discipline-specific observations are discussed and show that two application areas predominate: the validity of citation as an evaluation tool, and impact or performance studies of authors,…

Rehabilitation teachers who work with students having visual impairments are urged to act more affirmatively on behalf of their profession: (1) by organizing archives; (2) by developing a written history; (3) by promoting rehabilitation teaching; and (4) by promoting professionalism and quality. (DB)

Describes the 1993 demise of the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, in which the college was eliminated and its departments assigned to other units. Discusses the pressures of politics, money, intrigue, and alumni support, which all played a role. Notes lessons learned. (SR)

A discussion of the status of social work in academe considers its dual roles within the university as both a discipline and a profession and identifies eight criteria that differentiate professional from academic disciplines. Cooperation, identity, education, leadership, and knowledge-building are seen as key to finding social work's proper…

Examines the relationship of instructional designers and content experts and suggests methods to make these relationships more successful, including simplifying language to eliminate jargon; emphasizing the benefits of instructional design involvement; and focusing on interpersonal communication skills. Four sample scripts for instructional…

Comprehensive data from alternate years of annual salary surveys in public universities were analyzed from 1979/80 to 1989/90. Pay compression worsened in some disciplines (business) more than in other high-demand areas, but not all business disciplines were affected to the same degree. Computer/information science and engineering have made…

A discussion of the developmental path of the Black Studies movement focuses on its struggle for recognition as an independent and dynamic discipline, indicators of progress, and barriers to recognition. The evolution of Black Studies toward departmental status at Pennsylvania State University is chronicled. (MSE)