Maintains that E. D. Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy," is based on an anthropological rather than a normative view of societies and, therefore, does not claim that one society is more cultured than another. Concludes that historical understanding or other forms of cultural literacy requires wider criteria of significance than Hirsch…

This article argues that study of literature in the medical curriculum develops physician skills in observation and interpretation, clinical imagination, and self-expression and self-knowledge; enriches moral education; fosters tolerance for uncertainty; and promotes empathy for patients. Appropriate courses for inclusion of and classroom…

The director of a University of Virginia Arabic language program in Jordan discusses issues, sometimes unfamiliar, with which the administrator must deal. In addition to logistical and administrative tasks, in this context these include the role of women in the Arab university and students' questions about the universality of social values. (MSE)

It is argued that colleges and universities are not, as is sometimes assumed, dominated by pressure for "political correctness." Examples of patterns in admissions and hiring practices, faculty pay, tenure, and promotion and the climate for minorities and especially women are offered as illustration of the barriers to equality in…

Asserts that, as society moves into an electronic age, the examination of the historical role of printed materials is developing as a new field of study. Reports on a project that will examine the history of the book in the United States and its significance in shaping and mirroring U.S. democratic values. (CFR)

Qualitative-interpretive research methods were used to examine the board-president relationship in three British Columbia (Canada) community colleges. Five major reasons for which the relationship is important emerged: board and administrator influence in both the campus and external communities; value compatibility; self-images; and reflection of…

This response to Tozer's position paper agrees that the social foundations of education (SFE) is distinct from foundations of education. The paper describes the development of SFE, explaining that the prime task of foundations is to prepare teachers to promote values that define contemporary American values. (SM)

States that the importance of higher education on Great Britain's economic and social fortunes is appreciated by academics but not by the general public. Reviews public relations efforts by universities in France, Germany, and the United States and recommends more effective public relations efforts by British universities. (CFR)

Multiple literacies are needed to meet the challenges of today's new technologies and multicultural society. Media literacy is necessary because media culture strongly influences people's world view. Education must foster various literacies to empower students and to make education relevant to society. Critical pedagogy can promote multicultural…

Paints a discouraging picture of the teaching conditions in higher education in the Ukraine. Salaries are about one-quarter of their previous levels, and often are not paid for months at a time, workers in science and education rank forty-fifth out of forty-eight pay categories, and publishing opportunities have declined. (MJP)

Discussion of quality assurance in colleges and universities looks at theories and definitions of quality; four approaches to quality (traditional peer review, the assessment-and-outcomes movement, the Total Quality Management movement, and accountability and performance indicator reporting); the moral and ethical dimensions of quality; and ideals…

This program examines the relationships between domestic investment in society and the continuing pressures to maintain a strong military. The U.S. military virtually is unchallenged in the world, but basic "quality of life" issues remain to be addressed at home in the United States. This program provides facts and contrasts between the United…

This paper discusses the problems surrounding intercultural business communication as well as approaches to teaching college level business students appropriate communication skills for intercultural settings. Considered are the classification of countries by cultural context, i.e. how large a role culture, social values, and traditional social…

A study investigated the apparent inconsistency of meaning connected with the term "professor," using the problematic aspect of the term as a way of examining tacit features of a particular speech community. The "social drama" that served as a catalyst for the study centers around the presence of the national "Accuracy in…

A dimension of intercultural business communication often hidden from Americans is the communal aspect. It is most pronounced in Third World nations in which aspects of both commerce and communication are based on earlier communal traditions, reflecting values of which Americans may be unaware. Individuals strive to advance not only their private…