Focused on teaching by theme, the articles in this issue of the "Virginia English Bulletin," an NCTE affiliate journal, include "Theme-type Units: Background and Basis"; "Casting Shadows," which discusses science fiction; "War, Literature, and Kids: Blood Relations"; "Ethnic Heritage Studies for the…

The Physical Education program at San Rafael High School seeks to boost students' sense of identity and self worth by abolishing rigid rules and dress codes and allowing students to choose from elective courses. The school administration has made commitments to the program and student enrollment is increasing. (SJL)

The traditional undergraduate separation of general education, the major, and the electives does not reflect what happens in the student's learning, and lacks direction and clarity of purpose. Collaboration among generalists and specialists within and between the departments is needed to prepare students better.

Relates and compares two successful approaches to the teaching of the Indonesian language and culture at two high schools in Canberra, Australia. Describes the organizational differences between the two schools; the design, structure, method and implementation of the two programs; and the advantages and disadvantages of both. (SED)

A 10-week full-time elective sterile products clerkship designed for fifth-year pharmacy students that refines the students' written and oral communication skills and meets professional standards for education of intravenous therapy personnel is described. (MSE)

Outlining procedures involved in arriving at a newly adopted curriculum for the Oak Park, Illinois, high school of which he is the associate principal in charge of instruction, the author argues the importance of developing a comprehensive vision of educational priorities before considering specific curricular components. (JBM)

A two-week course was offered to first-year medical students in physician lifestyle management: practice management, health maintenance, marriage and the family, and physician disability. The course exposes students to actual practices and nonprofessional aspects of the physician's life. The course was rated highly and may be helpful in student…

A course for second-year medical students at Wright State University covers the construction of physical facilities for the delivery of health care. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive orientation to the subject and to develop an appreciation for the complexities involved. (MLW)

Details of a program instituted by the mathematics department at Georgia Southern College designed to encourage high school students to continue mathematics through their senior year are provided. The program involved one associate professor visiting several high schools near the college to talk to small student groups. (MP)

The promotion of basic skills need not conflict with present elective systems which seek to create interest and to address student concerns. The solution is not to narrow subject offerings to a "no-frills" level, but to design learning systems which ensure that current offerings cover the basic skills. (SJL)

The history of undergraduate teaching in the United States is discussed in an attempt to determine whether the curriculum is now in a period of crisis. The most crucial ingredient in the excellence of higher education may be the admissions policies and the quality of the faculty teaching available courses. (MLW)

This paper discusses a small-scale study of student reaction to a new choice-based modular course structure in the Department of Education, University of York. Implications for university planning in an era of financial and enrollment decline are drawn from these findings on student choice of courses. (SJL)

A course designed to educate individuals in the responsible use of prescription and nonprescription drugs, offered to the entire student body at the University of Minnesota, is outlined and evaluated. (MSE)

Describes a survey conducted to assess the impact of declining enrollments on the college-preparatory, general education, and elective curricula of 202 high schools. Findings are discussed in terms of the size and type of the schools and are compared with the results of a literature review. (JP)

A self-help approach used to enhance medical students' self-directed learning (SDL) skills in an elective course resulted in increased student feelings of self-efficacy, and the self-ratings had significant relationships to measures of deep approach to study. Academic achievement was higher for this group than for controls. Some conditions…