Presents an approach used in high school English classes to connect students with the world outside high school. Encourages students to take risks by selecting a project topic, choosing and inviting a guest speaker, preparing for the visit, reading and writing on related topics, and doing a follow-up project. (SR)

Examines vilification (a rhetorical strategy which discredits adversaries as ungenuine and malevolent advocates) in the rhetoric of pro-life and pro-choice movements in Minnesota between 1973 and 1980. (SR)

Considers how stories function in professional lives, and examines stories of literacy development. Argues that, without a vision informed by the stories of diverse children, the literature on sociocultural differences in literacy use will inevitably be transformed into culturally deficient visions of children in schools. (MG)

Examines the nature of crises as recurrent formulas that regularly afflict society, and hence schooling, and considers the practice of teaching and learning not in isolation but in the context of culture. Describes characteristics of a humane and issues-relevant curriculum. (MW)

Discusses future opportunities for sociologists in the academic market place. Predicts that increased college enrollment will lead to an expanded need for professors of sociology. Calls for the establishment of a national agenda for the social sciences so that the public can be made aware of the benefits of having sociologists deal with social…

Describes the Future Problem Solving Program, in which students from the U.S. and around the world are tackling some complex challenges facing society, ranging from acid rain to terrorism. The program uses a creative problem solving process developed for business and industry. A sixth-grade toxic waste cleanup project illustrates the process.…

Discusses the biological and social effects of the disease on society. States that a crucial issue is protection from discrimination. Explains that infection can be stemmed by education and altered behavior patterns. (RT)

Examines the performance of texts ("trigger scripting") as a method of modifying sexual attitudes and assertiveness in a dating context in order to prevent date rape or unwanted sexual aggression. Suggests that live performance alone and live performance plus discussion cam modify sexual attitudes and increase awareness of the issues.…

Argues that multiculturalism in education, because it is viewed as such a virtuous undertaking, is actually creating another form of tyranny, one that limits discussion, inhibits free expression, and disguises questionable interpretations and analyses as indisputable truths. Multiculturalism is portrayed as creating dogmatic assertions, wishful…

Analysis of 1980 state-level data found that white suicide rates were associated with variables indicating social instability, while American Indian suicide rates were negatively related to wealth and urbanization. Both white and Indian homicide rates were related to social instability; Indian rates were also negatively related to unemployment.…

Provides analysis of neighborhood change in Cleveland (Ohio) in 1980s using two-wave panel design and causal modeling. Reports that relationship of poverty rate to housing values and rate of births to unmarried mothers is reciprocal, implying cycle of social and economic decline of neighborhood. Other findings are reported that suggest declining…

This paper examines the dangers of modernism and societal collapse to people with mental retardation and other vulnerable groups, including the dangers brought about by fewer well-functioning families, the medical system, and the human service sector. It emphasizes the growing incidence of "deathmaking" of societally devalued people, and concludes…

Presents impressions of Japanese mathematics education from the viewpoint of a non-Japanese visitor, including classrooms, technology, students, attitudes towards mathematics and science, international contacts, and societal problems. (MKR)

Describes a three-part midterm exercise designed to demonstrate how using general semantics as an analytical tool can increase awareness and improve critical thinking about an issue. Explains each phase of the assignment in detail. Concludes with student responses to the exercise, indicating that the exercise is indeed helpful in analyzing current…

Benefits to the helper are important to consider in a national-service program, along with the benefits to the recipient. Some suggestions are offered to ensure reciprocity in community service. Democratizing help giving, that is making it available to the widest possible audience, could help remove some of the pitfalls associated with help…