There is no natural or genetically determined talent for aesthetic appreciation, but at most a widely distributed capacity that, fortified by interest, can be developed. The aesthetic experience should be cultivated but for its own sake. (RM)

Argues that achieving cultural diversity on college campuses requires nothing less than a complete transformation of institutions of higher learning. Discusses strategies in recognizing racial and social inequality, new ways of seeing minority students, new ways of developing curriculum, and suggestions for reinventing the university. (RJM)

Defines cultural literacy, relating it to verbal and musical literacy. Discusses how reading with comprehension compares to listening to music. Describes what musically literate people know, and the level of their knowledge. Maintains that to attain musical literacy one needs to know some cultural data but primarily one needs to listen to music.…

The Universite de Montreal offers programs of cultural enrichment and personal development to the community. Les Belles Soirees are very successful as outreach and public relations vehicles; they provide continuing education for professionals and serve faculty as a testing ground for new ideas. (SK)

Describes a U.S.-Soviet mural project where citizens from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and citizens from Leningrad created two peace murals--one in the United States and the other in the Soviet Union. The murals were exchanged. Participants made their own clay using dry clay and water before creating their impressions of peace and friendship. (KM)

Describes the Chinese-language program at Portland State University. Elements of this program include newspaper and classical courses; textbooks from China, Taiwan, and English-speaking countries; the use of characters on the first day; and a diverse student body. The university's goal is to make a solid Chinese education available to anyone in…

Recommends commissioning new works as a challenging and motivating learning experience for high school and college bands. Includes several guidelines for negotiating costs and performance rights with the composer, as well as other technical details. Discusses specific problems arising from this arrangement and possible solutions. (MJP)

This article is an edited version of an address by Abdul Waheed Khan to a Special Convocation at Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, on 4 January 2005. Professor Khan identifies major societal trends and likely future developments, with particular reference to India. He argues that knowledge will play a central role in shaping economic growth,…

In 1987, two education books made it to the national best-seller list, "Cultural Literacy" (E.D. Hirsch, Jr.), and "The Closing of the American Mind" (Allan Bloom). Reviews these two books and 47 other important books on education. Includes a sidebar on how to obtain the books. (MD)

Offers evidence showing that the arts are the fastest growing segment of Canada's economy. Urges teachers to use the arts to enrich a child's experience and create a sense of self-worth which will nurture appreciation for the arts and help eliminate problems of stress and emotional deprivation. (NEC)

Museums, libraries, zoos, parks, historical sites, and other cultural institutions can be vehicles for much self-directed learning. This article reviews these opportunities and efforts to utilize them. It discusses cultural institutions as invitational environments, conditions of learning in cultural institutions, and tools and initiatives for…

Describes a number of educational and cultural enrichment programs, including some that provide classes in computer and science-oriented courses, designed to supplement and expand upon what urban students learn in public schools. Provides addresses of programs in several cities. (AOS)

Since small children are more sophisticated readers of images than of words, pictorial reproductions represent an important means of bringing the visual thinking of the world's best artists to the attention of children. The use of pictorial images represents a solution to the teaching problems of gaining students' attention, interest, and…

An exchange program allowing American students to do their supervised teaching in English schools is described. (JMF)

Movement programs have the potential to make a significant contribution to the goals of aesthetic education. Movement professionals must be prepared to articulate and to demonstrate physical education's contributions towards the realization of these goals. (CJ)