Mike Davis's book presents a history and current sociology of Los Angeles from a socialist perspective, arguing that inequalities in the distribution of power and wealth underlie the area's serious, growing problems: ethnic fear and discrimination, social disinvestment and withdrawal by the "haves," and an epidemic of youth violence. (SV)

Analyzes the struggle between Eurocentrism and Afrocentrism from an Afrocentric geopolitical perspective. Africans, with Afrocentrism as an intellectual class action suit, are determined to rescue their minds from the suzerainty of Eurocentric miseducation. Afrocentrism represents the most potent challenge to the European power structure of the…

Data from a survey of 230 college sociology departments revealed patterns of employment and academic rank among African-American faculty. African Americans do not necessarily have many African-American colleagues, numerical influence in departments, or equality in rank. African-American student population, school location, and dependence on…

Reports two studies of adolescent perceptions of playful and aggressive fighting. Results suggest that some bouts of playful fighting are used during adolescence to settle disputes about dominance and that aggression may be introduced into playful fighting to settle dominance disputes. (LB)

These books are, in many ways, companion volumes addressed to educators working on curricular issues and educational reform. Both consider how postmodernism, feminism, and cultural studies contribute to contemporary educational theory and social criticism. The authors make a convincing case for critical "border pedagogy" that examines…

Examined the effects of sex of offender and type of behavior on faculty perceptions of student against faculty sexual harassment, using 313 faculty members from 2 universities. Found that, when the student offender was male, subjects saw the situation as harassment, upsetting, and the student's fault. (JB)

Ninth graders explored the theme of power and ambition by reading William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," studying daily life in ancient Rome, comparing the play's plot to the attempted overthrow of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, examining other power struggles, and developing scripts for modern-day "Julius Caesar"…

Describes how, when a vehicle maintenance unit of a public transit agency underwent extensive demographic diversification of its workforce, original workers escalated shop talk and horse play as vehicles of internal power struggles, leading to dysfunction and even violence. Argues that management failed to provide for the need for newly diverse…

Examines the means by which women convey their authority in scholarly publications. Analyzes a sample of women's scholarship in technical communication journals. Considers whether traditional writing features conflict with traits associated with "women's ways" of knowing. Suggests areas for future research. (HB)

Discusses how the British colonial government in Kenya used the education system to strengthen political and economic power over the African majority. Describes the unequal allocation of education revenue, selective and punitive public examinations and a racially biased school curriculum. Concludes that Europeans' need to dominate Africans…

Establishing caring relationships with students challenges all teachers. The article examines one student teacher's intentions to care and control, noting teacher educators and novices must understand the tensions and connections of caring and controlling. Constraints on student teachers' powers to care and establishment of legitimate authority…

Four data-based analyses and three commentaries concerning research into the micropolitics of education are introduced. The following themes in micropolitical analysis are considered: ideologies/values of teacher/administrator subsystems; bureaucratic myths; policy remaking in site-level implementation; bias in organizational life; reality…

The supervision process cannot be separated from the broader cultural and political contexts surrounding it. Supervisors must question reductionist and decontextualized approaches and struggle to avoid imposing values and capitulating to the neutral observer role. Fortunately, students pick and choose from supervisor suggestions and viewpoints.…

Analyzes the structure of academic sociology departments. Stresses the competition for resources and symbolic capital among different groups including faculty, support staff, research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Focuses on the complex role of graduate students, the constraints, and the opportunities it opens. Urges reform…

Discusses the changing role and responsibilities of middle managers and department heads in large research libraries. Skills and abilities required for effective management and the need for continuing leadership training are outlined. (10 references) (EA)