An elective course designed to create dental student awareness of the potential adverse effects of hazards and stress in dental school and practice, and methods to avoid and cope with such problems, is described. Results from one- and two-year course evaluations are included. (MSE)

Determines the relationship of undergraduate students' required vs elective rationale for course selection, and their expected course grade, to their ratings of instructors, courses, and examinations. Results indicate significant differences on the various course ratings comparing students with a required vs an elective rationale for course…

Highlights and criticizes changes in the traditional core curriculum during the 1960s and 1970s. Points to weaknesses in the current "return to basics" trend infiltrating core curricula. Calls for a clearer definition of undergraduate curriculum goals and the adoption of guidelines in order to eliminate the formlessness of the current system. (CAM)

Data in this survey supports the notion that the trend to eliminate physical education instruction in colleges and universities has ended. A reverse trend appears to be emerging. In addition, numerous changes have occurred in basic instruction in physical education course offerings over the years. (Author/IAH)

A University of Pittsburgh law professor developed an elective course that looks at how society's values are both expressed in literature and interpreted in law. Course topics include property ownership, racism, child and family rights, trust laws, the use of persuasive rhetoric, and violence. (MSE)

The current status of nontraditional degree programs is briefly reviewed. Student personality characteristics identified by the Omnibus Personality Inventory suggest that elected studies students are intellectual liberals, along with other nontraditional degree students, those who withdraw voluntarily, and upperclass students. (Author/LBH)

An undergraduate professional elective course emphasizing the study of literary and fine arts works portraying pharmacy and pharmacists, developed to give pharmacy students a variety of experiences with role perceptions, is described. Students examine, discuss, and critique fiction, drama, music, the visual arts, and other creative works. (MSE)

A dental school program that provides students with the option of studying abroad at a participating school or hospital or designing their own course of study during their final four months is described. (MSE)

An elective course focusing on exercise physiology and cardiovascular fitness offered at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine consists of weekly lectures and student self-designed fitness programs. Student participation correlates with significantly increased levels of student maximum oxygen consumption, a moderate training effect.…

An elective workshop offered to Wright State University medical students focuses on intrapersonal, interpersonal, social, collegial, educational, organizational, community, and existential aspects of communication and combines cognitive skills and training approaches to developing effective communication skills. (MSE)

Several major trends in legal curriculum innovation in the last 30 years are considered, and it is suggested that each raises recurring and occasionally elusive problems in legal philosophy. Among the issues addressed are: compulsory and elective courses, "law and..." courses, the case method, the litigation hypothetical method, and law…

The University of Oregon's physical education department responded to the state legislature's withdrawal of funds for facilities and student activity programs by imposing user fees, renting facilities to outside groups, and making physical education an elective while charging fees to enrollees. Courses organized to meet student demand proved…

When the course selection requirements were made flexible in a college of education, the graduated students following the flexible program achieved lower scores on the NTE Mathematics Scale and did not achieve higher cumulative grade point averages in the college when compared to those who followed the more rigid program. (Author)

Reviews an elective course designed to incorporate: (1) study of operating methods for adsorption, chromatography, and ion exchange in a pattern set by the instructor; (2) study of student selected topics with instructor developed lectures and assignments; and (3) course project done by each student. (SK)