Over the past few decades, social reproduction theorists have criticized achievement ideology as a dominant and dominating myth that hides the true nature of class immobility. Social reproductionists' primary criticism of achievement ideology is that it blinds the working class, regardless of race or gender, to the possibilities of collective…

Discusses the implications of postmodernism for the field of the history of education, specifically from the point of view of theory and methodology. Briefly reviews theoretical applications and their leading adherents in Britain. Concludes that postmodern theory should make historians more self-reflective. (MJP)

Discusses the utopian philosophy and related educational practices of the early 19th-century communitarian settlement in New Harmony, Indiana. The settlement failed after several years, due in no small part to the falling out between its two main supporters, Robert Owen and William Maclure. (MJP)

Explores the origins and development of the Graduate Department of Social Economy and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College, PA. Analyzes social science teaching and research fostered in the department. Includes two tables listing women who received doctorates from the department between 1915 and 1940 along with a faculty listing. (CFR)

Argues that political equality and democracy are attainable only through the distribution of access to political resources and the willingness to use them. Discusses the broad philosophical and sociological components that contribute to a system marked by advantage and inequalities, as well as opportunities for opposition and resistance. (MJP)

Argues that radical left-wing academics faced little opposition in their attempts to dominate intellectual theory in political science. Maintains that this occurred because quantitative research so displaced intellectual theory as to render it irrelevant. Describes the predominant emphasis on statistical methodology and paints a bleak picture of…

Challenges the current belief that post-secondary curricula is defined by faculty and institutions in response to demographic shifts. Maintains that a complex interweaving of social movements, class structures, political, and economic forces influences the adaptation and implementation of curricula. Criticizes the establishment and the recognition…

Maintains that, counter to popular opinion, guns played no significant role in U.S. frontier life until the Civil War era. Evidence from probate and militia records reveal a consistent lack of gun ownership while magazine articles painted unflattering portraits of gun ownership and hunting. Discusses reasons for the change. (MJP)

Reviews the contributions and educational philosophy of Herbert Spencer. The 19th-century social philosopher was an advocate of Pestalozzianism, an early form of open education and a precursor to John Dewey's progressive education. Discusses a broad range of educational reform movements and how they influenced Spencer. (MJP)

Traces the development of, and responses to, the sex/race analogy as a rhetorical strategy of the Women's Liberation Movement (WLM). Although originally conceived as a legitimating strategy, the analogy had serious flaws, especially for women of color. Nonetheless, the analogy remains popular, albeit, in a somewhat restructured form. (MJP)

Discusses the character and contributions of Thomas Jesse Jones, an early 20th-century educator and a pioneer in social studies and black education. Jones's inconsistent philosophy (he supported limited black education but believed in white supremacy) grew out of an unlikely combination of progressive Christianity and deep conservatism. (MJP)

Historical reconstruction bridges the gulf between theory and practice extant in educational administration. This book characterizes evolution of administrative thought and practice in the United States. An introduction summarizes methods incorporated by this applied field from diverse administrative systems. Chapters 2 and 3 advance two of four…

This monograph, part of a series exploring relationships between education and society, challenges assumed perceptions of time in educational administration as linked to historical and philosophical influences. An introductory summary of salient themes is supplemented by four articles. By emulating industrial capitalistic methods, educational…

The educational change strategy termed "reaching success through involvement" (RSI) has yielded promising results in creating school effectiveness. This paper analyzes the theoretical bases and practical applications of RSI strategy among 14 schools over an 8-year period. RSI theory assumes that educational organizations are dynamic social systems…

Early childhood professionals are often required to work with children and families from a range of diverse backgrounds. This book goes beyond simplistic definitions of diversity, encouraging a much broader understanding and helping early childhood educators develop a critical disposition towards assumptions about children and childhood in…