This paper discusses the emergence and the establishment of new educational programs in universities by describing a theoretical approach and reporting an empirical study of the development of one interdisciplinary department (the Institute for Media and Communication) at the University of Oslo (Norway). It is argued that the emergence of new…

This book addresses the problem of the future of Germanics as a field of study at colleges and universities in the United States. It is noted that the study of Germanics has been losing tens of thousands of students for the past 25 years, that this slide downward is no longer attracting enough attention from the Germanics community, and if it…

The writing across the curriculum movement is discussed in six articles. Barbara Leigh Smith's introductory article, "Writing Across the Curriculum: What's at Stake?" reviews the rationale for this movement, including the declining emphasis on writing in high schools and colleges. In the "Winds of Change: Thomas Kuhn and the…

One of the most significant activities undertaken by members of small college speech departments has been the development of the Essential Undergraduate Curriculum in Speech Communication at the Small College. This paper reviews six aspects of this curriculum: (1) the "statement of domain"; (2) iterdisciplinary aspects; (3) questions of…

This paper outlines seven assumptions about teaching conditions that best facilitate critical thinking in the undergraduate psychology curriculum; the main ideas proposed in a model of critical thinking developed by a network of psychologists across the nation; and the application of this critical thinking model to the undergraduate curriculum.…

Research indicates that sexual abuse of children is widespread and underreported. Since child development workers are among children's first contacts, the emotional and physical well-being of the young children in their care depends to a large degree on workers' awareness of characteristics of sexually abused children and abusive parents. In turn,…

The monograph emphasizes the need for university-sponsored programs for professionals serving ethnic communities. The programs could consist of undergraduate and inservice courses in teacher education. The courses should teach students and teachers to accept and understand cultural differences, to recognize the right of such differences to exist,…

Two decades of undergraduate curricular crisis have reduced the traditional academic authority of the humanities. One response is to provide a course in cultural criticism, demystifying the Western tradition and teaching students to engage in an ongoing dialogue about its meaning and purpose. (MSE)

The text of a report by the Education Commission of the States study panel is presented, offering eight challenges and 22 recommendations to state leaders concerning student preparation for life after college, college preparation, college participation and completion, student diversity, student involvement and performance, faculty motivation, and…

Analyzes development of education programs for information management in graduate schools of business and management, and discusses themes currently appearing in the business literature that indicate a need for information management courses. Present information management programs in business schools and current and future relationships with…

Recent criticism of the college curriculum stops short of recommending one thing that should be central: a core curriculum that speaks to the forces of culture and tradition, providing an intellectual context for all other studies. (MSE)

One problem faced by social work field experience coordinators is lack of recognition by academic executives of the administrative, coordinative, and educative performance expectations of the job. The role definitions and responsibilities should be clarified and broadly disseminated. (Author/MSE)

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.

If librarians want to be given faculty status, they must become more involved in the instructional process. Part of that responsibility is to help inform faculty of the ineffectiveness of the lecture-textbook method in educating undergraduate students and to demonstrate that practical and constructive alternatives exist. (MSE)

The NIE Study Group on the Conditions of Excellence in Higher Education calls on colleges and universities to revitalize liberal education and set higher standards for graduation. This news report notes the realities of student learning, curricular coherence, the quality of facilities, faculty morale, and academic standards that no longer measure…