In this article Sarita Cargas suggests that getting honors students used to analyzing controversies will contribute to their developing a disposition toward critical thinking. She goes on to say that the value of teaching critical-thinking skills complements the movement of many honors programs toward teaching more than just disciplinary content.…

Rather than just becoming a source of intense frustration and a symbol of America's supposed weakness of will, the Iranian hostage crisis could have led to greater interest in a culture different than students' own, American foreign policy and how it is achieved, world religions, and media coverage of crises. (Author/RM)

Discusses the educational establishment and relates its position to the need for introducing controversial issues into elementary and secondary classrooms. The need for reform, beginning with science courses in the university, is suggested. (SA)

To illustrate the incorporation of liberal arts values into the speech communication curriculum, this paper presents a rationale for creating a public speaking course that emphasizes the analysis of current critical issues. The paper argues that by requiring students to speak on important issues, rather than on personal topics, they will need to…

Reports findings of a study examining the opinions and awareness level of South African, Israeli, and United States undergraduates about conflicts in either the Middle East or South Africa. Finds religious and racial characteristics determining differences in knowledge level and political support. Reveals South African Blacks and U.S. students…

The findings of a study that examined the impact of peace studies courses at the college and university level upon students is reported. The study involved 260 undergraduate students at 3 midwestern universities. At the beginning of each course, students filled out a questionnaire; at the end of the course, students were given identical…

This syllabus for an "issues" approach to an introductory economic principles course evolved out of three years of experimentation at Oklahoma State University. The syllabus covers 11 important social issues: population growth, agriculture, higher education, crime, pollution, health, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, inflation, and the energy…

Designed to provide a context for English teachers' deliberations on what they should be teaching, this paper provides excerpts from 21 news items pertaining to significant educational and social events and trends. The news items deal with a wide range of topics, including the back-to-the-basics movement; the trend toward state-mandated programs…