Enumerates the value and benefits of the black oral tradition, and describes the typical organization and identifying characteristics of American black folktales. Stresses the importance of "telling the tell," or storytelling, for children and adults to maintain family traditions and remember shared heritage. (SKC)

In an attempt to discover differences in male and female leadership effectiveness, a study was conducted of college administrators affiliated with the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. Results indicated that there are no statistically significant differences in overall administrative effectiveness or leadership styles. (MLW)

Describes a class project for which students discussed their conception of a hero, defined a hero in an essay, researched a specific person they felt was a hero, and finally, gave an oral presentation to the class acting out the character of their hero. (SRT)

Studies mythic dimension of protagonists in novels by American Indian authors Scott Momaday and James Welch. Illustrates discrepancies between White readers' beliefs about Indians and Indian myths of the trickster and how mythologies affect interpretation of the novels. Contrasts use of myth by Indian authors Leslie Silko and Gerald Vizenor. (LFL)

Compares Richard Adams's "Watership Down" to the "The Odyssey," and offers a selection of classroom activities for students that use Adams's novel to study classic literature. (NKA)

By vaunting the successes of the past while minimizing the failures, educators have painted an unreal, rosy picture that is now accepted as historical truth. This misconception hurts education by implying that school organization and curriculum can make no difference because today's students can't compare to those of long ago. (RM)

Presents teaching writing as one way of teaching the arts of the practical and discusses the relationship between practical and scientific reasoning. Joseph Schwab's career is read as a series of explorations into the consequences of the Prometheus myth for effective action today. (MJL)

This paper focuses on the potential value of cultural myths in maintaining the notion of science for all through educational reform. Cultural myths are defined as networks of beliefs and values, and they have the potential of influencing science and science education. Not until recently did educators realize the importance of myths and their…

Introduces the concept of organizational culture, and attempts to understand how people behave in public offices by examining the myths, symbols, and rituals of the Prime Minister's Office of the Quebec (Canada) government. (CS)

Briefly describes some elements of the culture of the Boruca Indians of Costa Rica and discusses threats to their tribal existence. Notes recurring motifs in six narratives which illustrate Boruca life and culture and which are presented in the original Boruca and in Spanish and English translations. (SB)

The history of Communism is effectively taught by the extensive use of new audiovisual and interdisciplinary tools. Inclusion of material from many disciplines besides history is necessary if the complicated and highly emotional political issues are to be handled in a thoughtful, objective presentation. (MLW)

Analysis of several accounts of White Buffalo Calf Woman's appearance among the Lakotas and of her politically interesting teachings illustrates how aboriginal Indian government rests upon myths of the god(s) which symbolically insert the people into the larger cosmic order, thus establishing the pattern of cosmic governance. (SB)

Explores contemporary fiction by Native American authors, a body of work filled with imagery of both traditional tribal and mainstream American cultures. Native American fiction demonstrates the capacity of this literature to reflect the dynamics of American Indian cultural survival in the face of the objectification forced on the culture by the…

Argues that the epic of America as frontier and vast land of freedom has been replaced by an epic that emphasizes racial and ethnic diversity in America, whether in an optimistic or pessimistic mood. The old epic was connected with an available frontier, but the new epic is city-centered in the stories of minorities. (SLD)

Presents a collaborative learning exercise intended to teach the unfamiliar terminology of experimental design both in biology classes and biochemistry laboratories. The exercise promotes discussion and debate, develops communication skills, and emphasizes peer review. The effectiveness of the exercise is supported by student surveys. (SOE)