Although ongoing conflicts in Northern Ireland are not simply about religion, the primary social division lies between the Protestant and Catholic communities. Currently, there are parallel school systems. Contracting markets, interschool competition, and decreasing government support for an integrated education system underline educators' need…

The effects of gender and religious affiliation on adolescents' disclosure to friends and strangers were assessed with Year 11 students (N=288). Adolescents of Catholic and Protestant denominations were willing to disclose to friends and strangers. Although females were significantly higher disclosures, religion did not play a key role. Gender was…

Policy initiatives in inter-group education evolved in Northern Ireland and Israel at around the same time. In each jurisdiction, the emphasis is on improving relations between protagonist groups in ethnically divided societies. Central to this objective and at the core of integrated education (Northern Ireland) and bilingual/bi-national education…

Ontario requirements for religious exercises in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools are more like those of England and Scotland than like those of most other Canadian provinces. Ontario regulations insist on religious exercises at the opening of the school day, the exercises to consist of "the reading of the Scriptures or other…

Describes fifteenth-century Spain's tendencies that proved central to the Columbian enterprise: experience as a conquering and colonizing kingdom, interest in Atlantic expansion, and missionary inclination. Argues that Columbus's arrival in Spain came at the perfect time in Spanish history. Stresses Spain's long history of religious war, conquest,…

Investigates children's conceptions of the characteristic features of category members. Hypothesized that (1) children initially perceive category members in terms of individual characteristics and (2) only later do children conceive of category members in terms of shared beliefs and values. Two separate studies confirm the hypotheses. (CMK)

India, a huge land with the second largest population in the world, socially and economically poor, and culturally and linguistically diverse, became the largest democracy in the world on November 26, 1949 with the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The goals of that constitution are: (1) the achievement of national unity and stability; (2) the…

"Transformation" is a process whereby an existing, controlled (predominantly Protestant) or maintained (predominantly Catholic) school can "transform" to Grant Maintained Integrated or Controlled Integrated status (a school where Protestants and Catholics are educated together). Since 1996, this process has been promoted by the…

Provides a survey of various Internet sites that focus on the religious practices in modern China (People's Republic of China) listing such sites as: (1) the China Daily Web site; (2) the U.S. Department of State online documents; and (3) the Web site for Human Rights in China. (CMK)

Traces history of European interaction with Islamic countries of Middle East from Crusades through World War I. Explains political expendiencies of war and resulting mandate system. Provides religious and political bases for Arab distrust of West. Concludes that no lasting peace is possible in area as long as Palestinian question is ignored. (DK)

Steps away from where a concrete wall once divided this city east from west, a group of Muslim 1st graders at E.O. Plauen Elementary School sing a phrase that is unfamiliar to most German ears. Though the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches have long provided voluntary religion classes in Berlin schools, only recently have the courts allowed an…

Traces the Armenian experience between 1915 and 1918 when the Muslim Turks carried out a policy to eliminate the Christian-Armenian minority. Focuses on the distinction between massacres and genocide; the use of technology in facilitating mass murder; and the legacy of genocide. Includes maps and photographs. (NL)

Designed as an introductory history, this book covers developments in the Balkan Peninsula from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the process by which separate nationalities broke away from imperial rule, established independent states, and embarked on economic and social modernization. To establish perspective on the role…

Reviews research findings of the various effects of ongoing violence and social problems on Protestant and Catholic working class children in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A summer vacation program in which Northern Ireland children visit the U.S. is described. Current research to study this program and problems related to cross-cultural research is…

On May 3-4, 2003, the Foreign Policy Research Institute held its tenth History Institute for Teachers. Forty-two teachers from fourteen states participated in a weekend of lectures and seminars, featuring seven outstanding scholars. Although Muslims define themselves and the Christian West in terms of religion, Western countries view relations…