Criticizes the notion that the empiricism of economics is more valid (and therefore more valuable) to the field of political science than the more subjective efforts of area studies. Specifically responds to Robert Bates's categorization of area studies as "unscientific" and unduly "humanist." Briefly discusses significant works within area…

"Texts and Teachers," a truly collaborative, NEH-funded program originating in Brown University's Department of Comparative Literature, is a long-term university/high-school partnership in creating interdisciplinary courses. Sample course titles include "Desire and the Marketplace,""Coming of Age," and "City…

Examines the barriers faced by preschool children with visual impairments in gaining access to the environment and presents some approaches to reducing those barriers. The importance of early identification, early intervention, a team approach for the provision of educational services, and parent participation is discussed. (CR)

Presents a history of undergraduate math-education programs and provides results of an action-research experience in a college-algebra course setting. Argues that historical record emphasizes interdisciplinary connections and applications of mathematics, and that present-day instructors should communicate the historical and practical reasons…

Describes a simulation activity based on the hypothesis that human habitation on Mars is a realistic future public policy issue and a reasonable consequence of space exploration. Uses cooperative learning. (DDR)

School counselors are in a unique position to develop and coordinate transdisciplinary teams providing services to students with disabilities in inclusive settings. This article provides a an overview of three types of multidisciplinary teams, an analysis of the school counselor's roles, and a case scenario for each. (EMK)

Gives brief descriptions and results for three studies funded by the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID): "Managing Change in Small Scottish Primary Schools"; "Cost of Pre-School Education Provision"; and "Evaluating Multidisciplinary Education in Health Care." (SAS)

Observes that Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE) is undergoing significant changes, including: expanded and inclusive curriculum content; art instruction integrated with other subject areas; teacher-originated curricula; and variable approaches to assessment. Suggests that changes are a response to criticisms of DBAE, and to general-education…

Discusses a model of effective transition services for youth with emotional and behavioral disorders. Project RENEW provides comprehensive case coordination for these students' ongoing education, employment, and community adjustment. Outcome data indicate that interagency collaboration improved on a pretest-posttest measure of agency…

Considers how teachers can help students become literate, critical, creative thinkers by aligning curricula, teaching strategies, and instructional resources. Promotes literacy, higher-level thinking, and writing skills through the interdisciplinary approach of combining language and art. Suggests that creating a comic strip stimulates and…

Describes a team-taught, interdisciplinary multimedia-development course for undergraduate students that was created to address issues concerning students' needs to learn how to evaluate and develop applications for new communication technology. Topics include a collaborative-learning model; course objectives; and student assessment. (Author/LRW)

Describes the Revans Centre for Action Learning and Research based at the University of Salford (United Kingdom). Topics include collaborations between practitioners and academics, organizational and professional development, change and human learning processes, interdisciplinary teamwork, action learning interfacing with research; and degrees…

Describes a lesson plan designed for an eleventh-grade honors American Studies course, but also works well for regular-level classes. Engages students in reading, discussing, and writing their own fictional slave narratives. Enables the students to connect literary texts to historical contexts and to experience antebellum history in a personal…

Presents an interdisciplinary thematic unit designed for eleventh graders that uses selected chapters of "The Martian Chronicles" to teach frontier history. Maintains that Bradbury's novel enriches students' understanding of the frontier because it compares the interactions between Native inhabitants of Mars and Earthlings to the…

A grade 6-12 Vancouver, Washington, magnet school blends arts education with interdisciplinary academics. To get in, students don't need talent or good grades, but a serious desire to study the arts. Academics are taught in the morning; afternoon arts classes are on three levels. Students are required to explore all the arts. Contains three…