Among the many life transitions that individuals must master throughout their lives, the transition to adulthood ranks very high in terms of importance, complexity and uniqueness. It involves the completion of education, and the assumption of new social roles and responsibilities, at a time when previous institutional structures that guided…

Eight students from mainland China chart their learning journeys across national and continental boundaries and socio-cultural contexts. The five women and three men structure their experiences of studying in China and the West around the turning points and life changing choices they made in chasing their dreams. They embody its emergent…

The United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child is a major achievement in the struggle to extend human rights to children. Its antecedents include the efforts of Dan Mulock Houwer, Eglantyne Jebb, Gustave Ador, and the work and words of Janusz Korczak (pioneer in residential care and director of an orphanage in Warsaw between 1912 and…

It is proposed that in a time of social and political conservatism, American higher education is moving from traditional to nontraditional procedures, from familiar patterns to newer ones, and is driven by external pressures as well as internal ones. (MSE)

Addresses the media's role in changing the nature of heroes in the United States. Describes the changes in cultural values that resulted in statesmen and soldiers being replaced by athletes and film and television celebrities. Attributes change to the development of the consumer society, centralization of the entertainment industry, and advances…

Discusses several background factors bearing on government decision making which are crucial in understanding cultural, economic, and political pressures on mathematics education in Western Samoa, outback areas of central Australia, and Papua New Guinea. (YP)

Ways that population trends, societal pressures, and changing economic conditions affect learning needs are addressed. Small and large colleges are given information to help them evaluate their missions, chart new directions, and make necessary adaptations in their curricula. The three issues addressed are the theoretical formulation of the…

Reviews several surveys on public attitude towards science and technology. Provides some questions and the response distribution tables across years. Discusses the survey research organizations, survey methodology, evaluation of the survey, and conclusions. (YP)

Maintains that, as a historian, social critic, and moralist, Christopher Lasch was a powerful presence in U.S. intellectual life. Presents an interview with Lasch prior to his death in February 1994. Reports that Lasch believed that optimism is a kind of investment in the future whereas hope is the rejection of envy and resentment. (CFR)

Contends that the problems approach is new to most teachers and is at odds with the dominant curricular trend that includes reliance on textbooks and content-oriented courses. Concludes that there is a formidable set of forces opposing the implementation of such a curriculum. (SLM)

Due to challenging social conditions such as poverty, homelessness, illiteracy, unemployment, and drug abuse, teachers are faced with taking on new roles in order to meet students' needs. The roles of political activist, advocate, resource developer and manager, counselor, and vocational specialist are discussed in terms of their relationship to…

Presented are objectives, activities, materials, and concepts for a social studies unit on the study of culture. The following categories make up the universals of culture (interpreted as functions which are found in some form in every culture): material culture, art and recreation, language, social organization, social control, conflict, economic…

The major thesis of this paper is that black colleges and universities are fundamental parts of the overall American society, which is fraught with change, oppression, chaos, and post-industrial problems; therefore, it contends, the survival of these minority institutions depends upon their keeping pace with today's technological trends. Based on…

Discusses three points of view on the place of science and technology in African society. Examines the relationship that exists between cultural values and science and technology development. Provides implications at three levels of technology. (Author/YP)

Contends that two practices of scientific history--the seminar and archival research--influenced historical research more than ideals of truth and objectivity. Discusses sexual bias in relation to archival access and other research practices. (CFR)