Social science can be instrumental in illuminating responses to persistent social problems like racial or economic inequality. And a powerful starting point for studies that pursue this goal is a nuanced understanding of the problem at hand. That is, with a well-developed conceptualization of the contours, causes, and consequences of a given…

Poverty among individuals is an enduring condition in almost all societies. The responses by governments to poverty, however, have varied. In the United States, President Lyndon Johnson sought to address poverty through the creation of the Great Society programs in the 1960s. In effect, he declared a War on Poverty. Later, especially during the…

This article considers multicultural education policies in relation to recent political and social events in England, France and Canada. The authors start from the assumption that the promotion of multiculturalism is thought to be a beneficial aim in schools. In light of this, they contrast this aim with the large civil unrest witnessed in 2005 in…

Reviews the majority of academic freedom and civil liberty cases on which the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) took action from 1936 to 1970 and concludes with a list of some of SPSSI's positive and negative experiences. Overall, SPSSI had made important positive contributions. (ETS)

Last spring, at the height of the frenzy over accusations that three Duke University men's lacrosse players had gang raped a Black exotic dancer during a party, faculty from Duke's African and African American studies department chose to take a stand. With emotions running high, the faculty took out a full-page advertisement in student newspaper,…

This paper discusses the lack of attention that has been given by helping professionals, police, welfare systems, and legal systems concerning the sexual assault of adults who are intellectually disabled, with special emphasis on the situation in New South Wales, Australia. Reasons why people with intellectual disability are particularly…

Examines the court transformation of civil rights from equal opportunity and nondiscrimination to racial/gender/ethnic proportional representation. It analyzes the implications for justice and equality and suggests that it is time to restore the moral ideals of the civil rights coalition of 1964. (GR)

Assesses the state of black residential segregation since the court case "Shelley v. Kraemer." Focus is placed on metropolitan areas generally and on St. Louis and Detroit, in particular. It is concluded that blacks have made little progress in reducing segregation in housing since the 1948 court case that outlawed restrictive covenants…

Argues that present day reality in the United States shows society is still separated by race and that the racial separation found in the school system is an accurate reflection of the nation. The author reflects on how racial separation and the separation of wealth adversely affect quality education for blacks and other minorities. (GR)

This book introduces African-American history and culture to children. The first Africans in America came from many different regions and cultures, but became united in this country by being black, African, and slaves. Once in America, Africans began a long struggle for freedom which still continues. Slavery, the Civil War, emancipation, and the…

Discusses Missouri v. Jenkins and the U.S. Supreme Court decision that the state of Missouri had no obligation to endlessly fund remedies to correct specific past school discriminations. An appendix discusses educational remedies for school segregation and what social science research says about their development and effectiveness. (GR)

Presents a history of the social, educational, and legal events leading up to Brown v Board of Education. It also provides a comprehensive review of major Supreme Court rulings on desegregation and equal education opportunity for African Americans in the 40 years since Brown. (GR)

Examines policy issues relative to making equal educational opportunities equally available to people of color in higher education 40 years after Brown v Board of Education. Specifically, it explores the relevance of issues of educational inequality and legal opinions to public elementary and secondary schools as well as higher education. (GR)

Considers the role of social-science research in school desegregation efforts as a background to this collection of written reports, depositions, and testimony in the March 1996 hearings about whether the St. Louis (Missouri) school district had achieved unitary status, having done all it could to eliminate the wrongs of a racially dual school…

Identifies and discusses recent decisions and upcoming cases of the Supreme Court that are likely to be of interest to teachers. Educational issues addressed include Internet access and censorship, affirmative action, sexual harassment, drug testing, and the separation of church and state. Includes a brief description Supreme Court duties. (MJP)