Considers how in the name of imagination, teachers often design activities and assignments that violate the text around which the lesson is focused and that mislead students about its meaning. Argues that imagination for its own sake is not the key to good classroom practice or profound understanding. Suggests that the best communication comes…

Explains that queer theory is important for anyone interested in critically inquiring into how human experience is organized and represented. Notes that queer theory has come to represent how any named category cannot adequately represent the fullness or the complexity of human experience. Concludes that educators can use queer theory to think…

Offers practical advice for directors and actors regarding script analysis. Contains questions which the director can use to create a thorough analysis of the script and questions to challenge the actors. Asserts that answering these questions helps actors build a detailed character analysis providing directors with hints about how gesture and…

The purpose of this paper is to create a guide for beginning coaches of the "communication analysis" event in forensics and to attempt to arouse interest in the activity. According to the paper, the American Forensic Association defines communication analysis as an original speech designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a…

Advocates a more clearly defined place for literary reading in interdisciplinary studies. Defines "interdisciplinary" as implying dialogues across borders. States that literary study has in the past distinguished itself from the social sciences by allowing more space for the language of texts to "talk back." Discusses a 1925 historical essay, "The…

Attempts to understand and relate only a part of the theory of Northrop Frye in "Anatomy of Criticism" and its implications for critical reading. Suggests that if theory is used as a practical basis for literature education then educators must not abuse the privilege and simply use the theory without reflection. (SG)

Discusses the problem of criticizing students' interpretations of poetry. Argues that faulty interpretations should only be ignored for artistic reasons, but should be called mistakes for factual and experiential reasons. (MM)

This article maintains that the best alumni magazines present lively campus topics on the cover and at the core of the feature section, arguing that too many alumni periodicals seek to be clones of general-interest commercial magazines. Examples from various alumni magazines are presented. (MDM)

Examines European and non-European cultural positions in terms of subjectivity, a postmodern concept, which eventually promotes ethics by using the nature of self in relation to the "other." Challenges the hierarchical distinction of European subjectivities and non-European subjectivities, exploring how to overcome that hierarchical…

Presents 24 recipes that can be prepared quickly. Includes sample restaurant reviews from student newspapers; advice on photographing food for student publications; a classroom exercise on food terminology; guidelines for food critics; and comments from professional journalists on writing restaurant reviews and critiquing food. (RS)

Makes the case that a more balanced pedagogical perspective for use of computer-mediated-communication (CMC) must be created by the communication discipline in order to assure its centrality as the key academic source and authority on CMC. Concludes that there is a path to a clear pedagogical agenda that can ensure the communication discipline's…

Reports on what proved to be one of the more challenging issues raised by the feedback to "Principles and Standards for School Mathematics: Discussion Draft" and how the writers used that feedback to create a more effective final document. (KHR)

Finds the film "Dead Poets Society" superficial, misleading, and seriously flawed. Examines seven pedagogical issues raised by the film, including (1) should a teacher who suspects that students are about to break school rules connive at their misconduct? and (2) are "sensitivity games" likely to have a lasting effect on…

Describes the experiences of a dramaturge (who researchers a play's history and themes and presents that information in educational contexts) who worked at a professional theatre. Notes that the job offered her the opportunity to do research, teach, and even publish. Suggests that her experiences as a dramaturge enhanced her skills as a teacher,…

Challenges two assumptions: that children are naturally disposed toward the animated cartoon, and that translating Shakespeare's plays into this medium automatically simplifies and gives them child appeal. Examines the confusions and cross-purposes that surrounded the making of the "Animated Tales" videos, and argues that there are…