This research assesses how interdisciplinary pedagogical interventions can prepare students to tackle complex problems, such as the refugee and migrant crisis. The co-authors created a six-week interdisciplinary module, introducing students to refugee and migrant rights, experiences, and challenges from two disciplinary pedagogical and substantive…

The emerging field of social entrepreneurship seeks to address social challenges in environments where traditional public sector institutions are weak or absent. With its explicit focus on solving problems, social entrepreneurship is inherently interdisciplinary. A well-designed undergraduate course in social entrepreneurship can enhance…

At the fin de siècle the Industrial Revolution created egregious physical, emotional and spiritual conditions for American society and especially for the worker but who would come forward to alleviate those conditions? Protestants implemented their Social Gospel Movement as a proposed cure to these problems. Secular Progressives engaged in a more…

In the effort to create a multiculturally sensitive citizenry, addressing issues of immigration is critical in today's schools and society. Mathematics and social studies are subjects sensitive to the cultural and population shifts of society. Since STEM subjects and skills are what drive the 21st century classroom today, it is important that…

In this article, the author applies Makiguchi Tsunesaburo's (1871-1944) perspectives to language policy and planning (LPP). One theoretical question in LPP theory is why individuals opt to use particular languages and varieties of languages in certain contexts. The author contends that Makiguchi's theory of value can be used to systematically…

Author suggested that we need to know more about the nature, extent, and distribution of youth patterns to which the Coleman report addresses itself and that we want to look more closely at the political feasibility of its suggested remedies. (Author/RK)

Notes that Sweden has been making continuing progress in its conquest of poverty. Examines the Swedish strategy and discusses its successes in the areas of poverty, slums and housing, health conditions, and unemployment and the labor force. (NB)

Describes a study that attempted to replicate earlier findings about how people develop understanding of and solutions to public policy issues, while testing additional hypotheses. Notes that people who think the most about environmental issues generally develop the most logical definitions of the problems and the most workable solutions. (GT)

Problems facing western societies during the 1980s are predicted in this article. Energy-related social upheaval may be ahead. (SA)

Discusses strategies to improve policy makers' utilization of research based on the "two-communities" theory that social scientists and policy makers live in two different worlds. Notes that for high level decision making, collaboration must involve more general problems and a decision to use either data-based or nonresearch knowledge for solving…

Argues that the social problems confronting America have been bombarded with ill-conceived and unsuccessful social policy largely driven by fear. Explains that parental licensing is a draconian and unworkable solution. Vouchers for indigent youth to attend Catholic schools, developing after-school and summer programs, and reforming welfare are…

Argues that sociopathy is the result of broad cultural failure and that social science has not demonstrated either the causes or the cures for sociopathy. Demonstrating social cause is beyond both the financial capacity and the ethical boundaries of society. Cultural and economic equality are potential solutions but society rejects these notions…

Sociologists are losing touch with actual social problems and questions because sociological theory traditionally has focused on causes rather than on resolutions. Most sociological knowledge is inapplicable to specific social problems. How can sociologists attempt to become involved in matters of public policy when their discipline has not…

This document presnts a series of lesson plans on the subject of illegal drugs. Each lesson plan includes readings, discussion questions, and other activities that teachers can use to help students understand the problems surrounding drugs and to work toward solutions. Units include: (1) "Problems and Proposals"; (2) "Assessing Public Opinion:…

Social science researchers and policy makers are not oriented toward supporting one another or sharing information that might be useful in solving social problems. Only recently have public funding agencies supported social science communication research; previously such funding came through private agencies. It seems likely that funds will…