The effects of Social Darwinism, eugenics, and contemporary political conservatism on the status of advocacy efforts for the mentally retarded are reviewed. Provided are historical sketches of Social Darwinism, which viewed the retarded as members of an inferior race, and eugenics, which argued for sterilization of the "genetically…

This critical examination of the condition of the English language used in Britian today raises questions about the language with which society expresses its concerns. It analyzes the language used in contemporary England for religion, politics, serious journalism, love, and literature. Included is an account of the committee-language of the New…

This critique of H. Lee Swanson's "Toward a Metatheory of Learning Disabilities" comments on Swanson's concept of learning disabilities, cognitive science, and information processing theory. A different research and theory-building agenda is proposed, focusing on society's definition of learning disabilities and instructional issues and…

Compares American educational problems to Japan's universally high literacy and achievement rate, positing that Japan's success is related to cultural homogeneity, strong school discipline, and strong motivation to succeed at all levels. Suggests that some Japanese educational strategies can be adopted in American schools, despite great…

Discusses the meaning of intelligence, the social functions that tests serve, the appropriate use of personality tests, controversies regarding IQ measurement, minimum competency testing, test disclosure, test bias, and "truth in testing." Stresses that testing is as much a social and political issue as it is an issue of scientific measurement.…

Discusses the importance of community in critical thinking, presenting objectivist and nonobjectivist views of the conduct and teaching of critical thinking. An essential insight for education resulting from the nonobjectivist conception is the development of a commitment to the ethical values of community, democracy, freedom, and equality. (SM)

Tested hypothesis that primary-influence processes in adolescent friendships are social interactional and that quality of friendship has little to do with development of delinquent behavior. Found that antisocial boys showed poor-quality friendships and low levels of relationship quality. (Author)

In order to create the ethos of a social "movement," a collective must show that it is moving (1) against something (an enemy); (2) towards something (a vision of possibility); (3) from something (situation of origin); and (4) with something (an ever-expanding collection of people). When applied to protestant Christian feminism (as…

There has been for over a century a movement for the humanization of work. The movement's two branches--a European one emphasizing worker alienation and structural change and a North American one emphasizing job enrichment--have converged somewhat as the concept of "quality of work life" (QWL) has emerged in the 1970's. Business concepts…

Intelligence makes man unique. To date man's use of this intelligence has been deficient. The deficit lies in the one-sided development of his problem-solving capacity; that is, an enormous growth has occurred in technological capabilities without a corresponding gain in solutions to social problems. This deficit is particularly significant…

This collection of short papers examines reading as a social institution. Rolland Callaway begins with the idea that the teaching of reading must be looked at in terms of educational policy or politics. Jack E. Williams follows with a semihistorical orientation which traces social class, ethnic, and racial biases on achievement. James B. Macdonald…

The main goals of this course are to have the student illustrate the relationship between food and the cultural, religious, and economic structure of various countries of the world; demonstrate how food habits of various peoples are influenced by locale, income, supplies, and seasons; and demonstrate skill in preparation of foods typical of…

Argues that Piaget did not consider social factors to be important in his developmental theory and considers some of the practical educational implications of Piaget's social theory. Piaget's notion of the role of social factors is reviewed, and the educational implications of the cooperative context favoring operational development with reference…

Discusses Foxfire implementation in terms of "ecological model" of educational system. Model includes microsystem (interactions with classroom environment) within mesosystem (things outside classroom such as local, state, and national policies that directly affect it) within macrosystem (societal beliefs and values). Foxfire position…

Discusses specific pedagogical practices, embedded within a distinct context, leading to a particular poststructural curriculum for educational justice. The description provides a conceptual framework to guide in the reflection of each individual's pedagogical practices. (SM)