Authority relationships in American classrooms are mirror images of authority relationships in the larger society. These patterns originally developed out of the Western liberal tradition where parental authority and authority of counsel (or wisdom) evolved into authority by force and bureaucracy. In either case the result was politically and…

Linguistic cues evoke prestructured beliefs in people's minds regarding the nature and causes of public problems. Political language can shape people's opinions and thereby shape events. There appear to be two beliefs or myths that people use to explain social problems: the first sees the sufferer as responsible for his own plight in a basically…

Chicanos comprise both the oldest and newest minority in the United States with the largest number being second and third generation. They are characterized by great intra-group diversity along generational, locational, socioeconomic, and acculturational lines. There is also evidence of increasing differentiation in social relations with…

Because the nursing department at Delaware Technical and Community College receives applications from more potential students than it can accommodate, it can no longer accept all applicants. The class which began in September 1975 was selected by a random selection process; this gave rise to numerous objections from rejected students, parents,…

The report gives the results of a pilot study on the attitudes of children concerning international topics. By use of a tightly structured questionnaire presented orally to children in grades 1 through 7, the author attempted to arrive at tentative findings concerning how attitudes toward other peoples and nations are formed and what role language…

This paper analyzes three sets of Soviet documents, some directed toward a domestic audience, some toward an English-speaking audience, and some toward Third World countries. It was hypothesized that references to the United States would, over time, reflect the lessening of tensions between the super powers, but that material directed toward Third…

This document reports eight selected dissertations in higher education each drawing upon some substantial part of a national data bank concerning colleges and universities. The data bank consisted of questionnaire returns obtained during the the calendar year 1969 from representative samples of freshmen, upperclassmen, and alumni in a total of 88…

This collection of short papers examines reading as a social institution. Rolland Callaway begins with the idea that the teaching of reading must be looked at in terms of educational policy or politics. Jack E. Williams follows with a semihistorical orientation which traces social class, ethnic, and racial biases on achievement. James B. Macdonald…

Four experiments designed to study attitudes toward United States Presidents are described. The project uses the conceptual framework and methodology of a mathematical theory of information integration to compile information on attitudes and opinion formation based on high school civics and history courses. Results of the research findings of each…

This book for educational administrators covers a wide range of problems, from the difficulties of administering a junior high school in the ghetto to the difficulties of re-organizing metropolitan areas. The author provides criteria for evaluating proposals to solve the problems and gives the historical perspective one needs to view the…

THIS RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED TO PRODUCE A QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR EXAMINING THE DEGREE TO WHICH PRESENT DAY COLLEGE ATTENDANCE FACILITATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE ORIENTATIONS LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE FUTURE GOOD CITIZENSHIP. A SECOND PURPOSE WAS TO BROADEN THE DOMAIN OF VALUES GENERALLY STUDIED BY SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TO INCLUDE THE…

A study assessed the conditions under which secondary school curricula have an impact on students' political attitudes. Civil liberties issues were discussed in experimental groups. When teacher credibility was high, students' political attitudes were noticeably affected. (AV)

The quality of public discourse and the ethical implications of divestment for universities as well as for corporations are discussed. Harvard's divestment of Exxon's stock is discussed and the question of whether Harvard should continue to accept Exxon's philanthropic grants is debated. (MLW)

Examines the influence of intraparty political debates during the 1984 presidential campaign. Indicates significant influence on undergraduate college students' attitudes about candidates and their interest in the campaign. Demonstrates that candidate violations of expectations provide a useful theoretical explanation for significant shifts in…

Provides a brief biography of D. W. Griffith, the producer of "Birth of a Nation." Includes a synthesis of reviews of this classic film and suggestions for using the recently released, inexpensive videotaped version in the secondary social studies classroom. (JDH)