The social landscape of the United States can be mapped by using a series of cultural fault lines. This topography portrays conditions that descriptions of the surface fail to illuminate. Many of these schisms are the by-product of ideological positions that diminish personal responsibility and thoughtful civic discourse. If left unattended, these…

The "Adelaide Declaration on National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century" provides a mandate for discussion of the spiritual within secular state schooling, but this discussion has never occurred. This is a serious omission given what could be called an "undercurrent of concern" for the ways in which young people…

A national project of the Society for Values in Higher Education examined comprehensive values studies at eight colleges and universities. The possibility that dialog about values might improve campus decision making was explored. The place of academic freedom in the discussion of values is described. (MLW)

The historical study of words, and particularly of the changes in their meanings, has two benefits. First, it can bring to light our recent and culture-bound perspective on the nature of language, and, secondly, the approach to language needs to be made with a perspective on the future rather than the past. (JN)

Explains why the American views of optimism and progress are impediments to the teaching of literature. Tells how the teaching of tragic fiction can help students deal with important philosophical and aesthetic issues. (RL)

Technological modifications to people's set of values in terms of work, education and family are reexamined and redefined in this paper. The paper recommends that the technological impact on families needs to be studied in a context of cultural change. It examines technology's impact on Taiwan Chinese families in the contexts of cultural…

Explores importance of rituals to a culture and more particularly the formation, development, and evolution of rituals in couples. Also explores ways in which values of the couple and counselor affect the development of new rituals and the reevaluation of existing rituals as a grounding mechanism for change. (Author/NB)

Argues that geography is in a unique position to highlight and emphasize moral issues that otherwise might be neglected. Contemporary issues that naturally intersect with geographic concepts include citizenship and immigration, and the allocation of resources. Recommends examining relative concepts of justice, equality, and community. (MJP)

The paper explores reasons for the failure of contemporary approaches to moral education and suggests an alternative based on theories of prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior comprises actions intended to aid another person or group of people without the actors' anticipation of external rewards. Cultural and social factors appear to be most…

Developed by several colleges in California, this guide contains a curriculum for a course in Life Management (usually taught in the home economics area). The introductory sections of the guide contain the following information: recommendations from the pilot test teachers, rationale, course description, goals, justification for including the…

Socialization strategies for black children should be designed to prepare them to function in a competent, comfortable, and culturally secure manner; there may be a need to reevaluate the ability of those advocates currently responsible for the welfare of black children. Strategies of socialization should be based upon the philosophy of…

In view of the present state of affairs in the field, it is time for reassessment and professional debate about what sexuality education can and should be. There have been significant cultural shifts brought about by recent technological development, global awareness of sexual issues, and the characteristics of the current younger generation.…

This report describes an innovative program to prevent substance abuse among Native American students that was implemented at the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe (New Mexico). The program emphasized traditional values, history, and spirituality to enhance self-esteem. It involved readings, classroom discussions, Native American…