In 1982, the author wrote an essay for the second issue of "The Writing Instructor," "Approaches to Comprehensive Writing: Integrating Writing into the College Curriculum," reviewing the early stages of the modern Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)/Writing in the Disciplines (WID) movement. In this article, the author revisits…

If an honorary degree lacks values to begin with, does withdrawing it deliver a rebuke to the recipient? Is whatever honor that comes with the distinction embedded in the fancy paper, or is it wholly in the eye of the degree holder? Are honorary degrees really such silly things that individuals should mock their bestowal or withdrawal? The case of…

Recently, the long-standing, though relatively low key, debate surrounding certification requirements for career and technical instructors at the postsecondary level has been revived as a critical issue. These discussions have lead to extensive examination of: (1) current credential requirements for instructors; (2) recent changes to state and…

In this article, the author described eight, distinct practices through which schools were medicalized during the last decade of the 19th century and the first three decades of the 20th century. The medicalization of education was summarized in expanding definitions of educational hygiene, encompassing mental, neoscholastic, physical, and school…

Great diversity exists in nutrition education in higher education. Faculties must maintain a sound curriculum in terms of basic nutrition principles and the sciences upon which they are based. (JOW)

Defines the term media librarian as a person who is educated and knowledgeable and can work with all formats of information transfer in the context of a library. Three major concerns regarding the preparation of media librarians are also discussed. (LLS)

Continues a debate begun at the Annual Meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA) concerning whether a novel should count as a doctoral dissertation for students in education. Contains introductory remarks by the moderator, Robert Donmoyer, and an extended debate among presenters and audience members at the 1994 and 1996…

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst department of sociology offers a unique graduate program with faculty and students working together to produce mutually-authored articles, monographs, and books. Many doctoral dissertations are on applied topics in social policy and evaluation research. Graduates have been well placed in academia and other…

Moving from a consideration of the purposes and requirements of doctoral programs in general, the author focuses on discipline-oriented degrees and presents the goals and characteristics of the doctor of industrial technology program at the University of Northern Iowa. (SK)

The response to a 1987 proposal by Illinois nurses to standardize nursing educational requirements revealed deep divisions among nurses with different educational backgrounds. Those opposed to raising the professional status of nursing exploited those divisions and thwarted attempts to make the Bachelor of Science in Nursing the minimum…

United States higher-education institutions often fail to educate. This paper describes one professor's development of a new program fulfilling existing requirements while exposing students to great books and demanding courses in other areas. It suggests that the best way to reform higher-education institutions is to expose them to vigorous,…

Results of the American Sociological Association's first survey of graduate departments in sociology shows a striking similarity among programs in terms of course requirements, number of credits, and thesis requirements. Authors suggest that the apparent absence of diversity may be a matter of concern for the discipline. (Author/DH)

The University of California at Los Angeles sociology department stands out as a pluralistic community that fosters interaction, communication, and mutual understanding. Leading ethnographers and survey researchers work side by side; noted Marxists, functionalists, and phenomenologists participate in the same colloquia. The department has strong…

Reviews the 1980s literature regarding trends in public relations practice and implications for PR degree programs. Makes specific recommendations for development of effective degree programs. (MS)

States that few higher education institutions have publicly articulated clear expectations of the knowledge and skills students are to attain. Describes gap between student and faculty expectations for academic effort. Reports that what is required in students' first semester appears to play a strong role in shaping the time investments made in…