Notes that students often distrust the discussion method of instruction. Outlines three strategies along with examples designed to empower, engage, and instruct students utilizing the discussion method including the dramatic moment; validation of student expression; and integration of reading, writing, and talking. (MJP)

Examines the acquisition of academic writing skills by adult students studying by distance learning in the United Kingdom. Results indicate that the text-based nature of distance leaning affects both the way in which students acquire writing skills and the development of their identity as academic writers. Differences in the learning process were…

A study comparing personality traits, demographic variables, and sex-role orientation of Israeli women studying engineering as compared with women studying humanities and males studying engineering found female engineering students to be more feminist, have "realistic" or "investigative" personality types, and have…

The articles in this feature support the view that history and philosophy are useful to science instruction. Topics include the history of science teaching, the role of science textbooks, the relationship between science and the humanities, and a bibliography on history, philosophy, and science teaching. (IAH)

Discusses the cultural pluralism prevalent in the United States and explores reasons why music educators must tailor their programs to reflect ethnic backgrounds of their students. States that musical diversity is vital to well-rounded music program. Recommends eight instructional strategies to increase multicultural awareness of students. (LS)

Discussion of research in the humanities focuses on the "MLA International Bibliography," the primary database for literary research. Highlights include comparisons to research in the sciences; humanities vocabulary; database search techniques; contextual indexing; examples of searches; thesauri; and software. (43 references) (LRW)

Examines, within the Geography Curriculum, the emphasis on rural settings in studying developing countries, and argues that such emphasis is conducive to racism. The authors argue that this emphasis is inappropriate when the largest cities are now present in these countries while Europe's cities are shrinking. A list of educational resources that…

Maintains that, although many educators and students know about the Holocaust as a moral and historical catastrophe, the expanding canon of Holocaust literature also merits study. Asserts that a course devoted to the Holocaust and its depiction in literature represents another way of integrating studies within the humanities. (CFR)

Presents an overview of the approach and current exhibits at the Boston Children's Museum. Describes the Japan Program, a permanent exhibit, illustrating the blending of traditional and modern Japan. Outlines the development of the Native American exhibit and future plans for a floating urban education center. (CFR)

Compares the teaching of literature in East and West Germany. Discusses both the nature and titles of the material taught and problems of teaching literature espousing individual thought and criticism in a communist system. Describes common ground in the literature curriculum of both that may serve as a basis for curriculum of unified Germany. (DK)

Reviews issues related to preservice teacher education in dance. Asserts that the development of national standards in arts education has led to a consensus on teacher education. Maintains that, for the first time in U.S. educational history, dance is included in the fine arts curriculum, rather than in physical education. (CFR)

Describes the Center for the Electronic Texts in the Humanities (CETH), a joint project of Princeton University and Rutgers University (New Jersey) to provide a national focus for humanities computing. Examines the evolution of CETH as its role has changed with the growth of the humanities computing community and the impact of the digital…

Describes the Library Electronic Text Resource Service (LETRS) at Indiana University and examines public relations efforts to build support and interest among the faculty and graduate students. The most successful publicity efforts were based on an understanding of how humanists conduct research. (LRW)

A study examined the effect of formal academic education on cognitive processes in decision making in 940 undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni in the social sciences, humanities, and physical and biological sciences. Although academic studies correlate positively with better performance in each of the decision-making stages, they…

Notes that there are few readily accessible resources for teachers who wish to include popular culture in their ancient, medieval, or renaissance history lessons. Goes on to partially remedy this situation by providing a review of print sources of information on popular culture. Also mentions useful films and artifacts. (DSK)