Contrasts the social views presented in Arthur M. Schlesinger's "The Disuniting of America" with those of Cornel West's "Race Matters." Discusses issues such as diversity, separatism, and unity within a multicultural democracy. Concludes that educators should be informed about the views of both authors. (CFR)

Reports on the speech difficulties of four French immersion anglophone students participating in a three-month interlinguistic exchange. Each student was interviewed three times, and the transcripts were analyzed for linguistic, sociolinguistic, and sociocultural errors in oral French and for performance evaluation by the students. (51 references)…

Examines the work of Jurgen Habermas and Arthur Danto and develops a conceptual structure that views art education as an interpretive and reflective network that bridges school and life experiences. Contends that visual arts contribute to the development of reflective capacities. (CFR)

Maintains that contemporary Russian historical research, particularly educational history research, faces complex problems. Asserts that this is a result of the transition from one dominant methodology and world view to pluralistic approaches. Argues that the methodological potential of Marxist teachings is far from exhausted. (CFR)

Describes a preprofessional teacher training program (a pedagogical class) that was developed in Russia during the period of "Perestroika." Focusing on the sociocultural conditions of development, the article details students' practical work and outlines some features of pedagogical classes, secondary school curricula, and pedagogical…

Studies the attitudes of college students, faculty, and administrators on higher education issues in Russia. Less than half of those surveyed believe that the quality of instruction in Russian higher education is adequate. Includes nine tables of socioeconomic data profiling faculty and students. (CFR)

Family therapists should maintain an informed perspective that balances a broadly defined cultural sensitivity (including awareness about sociocultural and spiritual issues) with sound clinical judgment based on well-founded family therapy principles. Offers recommendations for graduate school curricula and internship training programs to include…

Reviews the "Encyclopedia of American Social History," a three-volume work that surveys historical scholarship in social history and lifestyles. Outlines the work's three historical categories: (1) lives of ordinary people; (2) experiences of everyday life; and (3) divisions and connections among social groups. (CFR)

Although the society of Victorian England witnessed significant improvement in moral and social conditions, we today confront considerable deterioration in ours. Illegitimacy, crime, and deviant behavior are discussed in the context of restoring virtue to society. (SLD)

An analysis of recent initiatives with the Langenscheidt Publishing Group reveals some of the emerging relationships between publishing and language teaching. The evolution of electronic publishing and multimedia learning within the contexts of the communications industry and shifting patterns of media use are discussed. (27 references) (MDM)

Explores the meaning and significance of multicultural education in a global context on the basis of recent cross-cultural research in anthropology. Examines the status of immigrants and "involuntary minorities" in the United States, England, and other countries. Recommends educational changes whereby multicultural education can heal and…

Reviews the changing nature of the Puerto Rican community in New York City. The article examines the internal changes in the community, such as family structure and economic status, which have created two separate Puerto Rican groups: (1) two-parent families who are well-educated and economically well-off; and (2) single-parent, meagerly educated…

Gives an overview of issues related to domestic violence against women as a social problem: changing responses from the legal system and the community over the course of history, possible causes of domestic violence against women, current perspectives and trends, prevalence, seriousness, and our response as a society. (LKS)

Discusses factors involved in the decision by battered women to seek court orders of protection. Women seeking such orders confront both tangible and symbolic fears. There are powerful motivations counteracting these fears; in addition, women experience psychological benefits from a sense of gaining some measure of control in their lives. (LKS)

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)