An extensive study of humanities education in the nation's public schools, commissioned by the United States Congress, concludes that history, literature, and languages are inadequately taught, and most students fail to learn important knowledge about their shared past and culture. Data from a nation-wide survey reveal gross ignorance of major…

The arts and humanities convey the very essence of what it means to be a human being. The arts are a basic and central medium of human communication and understanding. As such, they should occupy a central place in education. In the wake of a "back to basics" movement in the schools, the artistic heritage and opportunities to contribute…

Describes the addition of a collection management module to an advanced reference course in the arts and humanities, and reports the preliminary findings of a practicum that used the Research Libraries Group Conspectus as a basis for collection analysis in the humanities for a university library. (Author/CLB)

The text of a report based on the findings of the National Endowment for the Humanities' Study Group on the State of Learning in the Humanities in Higher Education is presented with a brief summary. It cites the decline of the college curriculum, particularly the humanities, and places responsibility on faculty and administrators. (MSE)

This report presents a proposal and plan for the use of contemporary technology at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC). Part I provides an overview of the use of contemporary technology in business, industry, and postsecondary education; highlights NIACC's contemporary technology strategic planning initiative; and outlines NIACC's proposal…

An update is provided on North Iowa Area Community College's (NIACC's) progress toward achieving its goals with respect to the use of contemporary technologies, along with plans for further progress. Part I examines the characteristics of contemporary technology and provides information on NIACC's Contemporary Technology Strategic Planning…

Background information on and plans for the use of contemporary technologies at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) are provided in this report. Part I begins with a discussion of the integration of contemporary technology in business and industry; describes NIACC's contemporary technology strategic planning initiative; and gives an overview…

Several leaders in education have concluded that the United States should have some form of national achievement testing. Such tests are proposed as part of the "America 2000" education strategy. Believing that the experience of other countries will be useful to educators, policymakers, and concerned citizens, the National Endowment for…

Presents excerpts from "Expectations of Excellence: Curriculum Standards for Social Studies." Defines and explains 10 thematic strands that form the basis for the standards. Includes integrated content from history, geography, other social sciences, and the humanities. (CFR)

Maintains that teaching is, among other things, the art of connecting students with course content in personal, relevant, and exciting ways. Presents three classroom lessons that incorporate journals, plays, and essays into social studies teaching. Includes discussion questions and follow-up assignments. (CFR)

Introduces a six-article symposium on interdisciplinary art education. Maintains that the specialization of modern societies presents a barrier between the arts and an interdisciplinary approach to arts education. Previews five articles that follow in the symposium. (CFR)

Maintains that, in recent years, schools and school districts have begun to explore an integrated curriculum approach to arts education. Discusses three areas of concern related to the arts as disciplines and the arts presented through an interdisciplinary approach. Calls for explicit policy directives to provide guidance. (CFR)

Discusses two related dilemmas: (1) the tension between the Western view of historical progress and the realities of modern society; and (2) the tension between old and new approaches to teaching and learning about the arts. Argues that the end result of implementing the Goals 2000 program might diminish the teaching of the arts as discrete…

Maintains that educational theorists have long advocated integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum development and instruction. Argues that the arts must maintain their integrity in the curriculum and be taught for their own sake, rather than serving as aids to instruction in other disciplines. (CFR)

Asserts that the general educational curriculum tends to be fragmented and compartmentalized and that this situation would be improved by curriculum integration. Argues that an interdisciplinary arts approach would require new teacher attitudes and instructional strategies. (CFR)