This book presents 11 contributed papers which examine communication aspects of the department chair position in academia. It is noted that most academic department chairs are not trained in management skills, including communication strategies. After an introductory chapter by Christopher H. Spicer and Ann Q. Staton, the following papers are…

A comprehensive history of physiology in America can be obtained from the records of physiology departments. This supplement to "The Physiologist" contains departmental histories of nine institutions. Featured are the physiology departments at: (1) State University of New York at Buffalo: 1846-1986; (2) University of California at Berkeley; (3)…

Presents rankings of U.S., university, economics departments. Explains the rankings are based upon representation of the departments on the editorial boards of leading economics journals. Reports that results are similar to rankings based upon other criteria. (DK)

Analyzes the establishment, expansion, and contraction of geography departments at the college and university level beginning in the late 1800s and concluding with the present decade. Reports that in the 1980s the total number of geography departments in the United States decreased for the first time. (DB)

Nearly 80,000 scholars currently serve as department chairs, and almost one-quarter will need to be replaced each year. Such a high turnover rate is partly due to surprises and unexpected sacrifices embedded in the department chair position. In an effort to help professors prepare for and overcome unforseen tradeoffs, the University Council for…

Enumerates ways in which university sociology departments can help students find out about career possibilities in the field of sociology. Suggestions include providing information on employment opportunities and graduate programs, identifying occupations of graduated sociology majors, advising students about employment and graduate school, and…

The trend toward the interdisciplinary approach to learning is suggested to be more effective for well-rounded study of a subject. Methods for using the approach in a university setting are presented. (LBH)

A survey of 101 research and doctorate-granting universities explored, in part, the tradeoffs professors have to make to become department heads. Tradeoffs include time required by the department head to deal with administrative pressures and demands. Rewards include monetary benefits, status, and leadership satisfaction. (MSE)

Informal interviews with 12 British university department heads investigated attitudes about: the relative importance of research and teaching, both within the department and for individual faculty members; prestige associated with each; the utility of the categories "teaching" and "research" within the discipline; links…

Offers a historical sketch of the development of faculties of education in U.S. universities. Reviews prevalent relationships between faculties of education and university central administrators. Suggests ways that professors of education can improve their political and academic positions on campus. (DMM)

Legislative mandates on sexual discrimination do not necessarily guarantee enduring change, as is demonstrated by the reinterpretation by the United States Supreme Court of Title IX of the Education Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the landmark decision in "Grove City College v. Bell" in 1984, the court ruled that Title IX,…

This book addresses principles of management and leadership in higher education, particularly leadership at the academic department level. It argues that academic leadership can improve academic outcomes and staff commitment in the current highly competitive and rapidly changing climate of higher education. Emphasis throughout is on the actual…

A survey was conducted of 114 (a 62.6% response rate) academic deans of predominantly IIA institutions (Carnegie Classification) to gather information concerning the equitable and fair treatment of department heads at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The survey revealed that the duties of department heads included teaching/research;…

This report addresses Washington State's historical and current information regarding salary increments for college faculty, salary disparity among postsecondary institutions and within institutional departments, and performance-based compensation plans for college faculty. Included among the report's findings are the following items: (1)…

Reports findings from the 1986 annual survey of activities of university departments of physiology in the United States and Canada. Presents data on faculty numbers and salaries, pre- and postdoctoral trainees, training support, and research grants. Also includes membership statistics of the American Physiological Society. (ML)