Academic discourse communities and learning circles are characterized by collaboration, sharing commonalities in terms of social interactions and language. The discourse of these communities is composed of jargon, common terminologies, and similarities in how they construe and communicate meaning. This study examines the extent to which discourse…

Seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students examine the many ethnic groups that make up Dade County in this elective social studies course. It focuses on the Cuban, Black, Jewish and White Anglo Saxon groups and their interaction. Following the course it is hoped that the students will be more able to empathize with others through greater…