A conference on Pluralism in a Democratic Society: An Interdisciplinary Inquiry into its Meaning and Educational Uses, was held in April 1975 in New York. The goals of this conference were: (1) to clearly define cultural pluralism; and (2) to find the best ways of teaching and learning about cultural pluralism in the classroom. The papers that…

Describes materials, objectives and procedures for building a multi-cultural community, playing a game designed to demonstrate how our societal structure works in practice, mapping the history of a community, holding a town meeting, creating a myth, and making musical instruments. (LC)

Analyzes the relationship of indigenous and western educational systems in lower Zaire during the transformation from the lineage form of production that prevailed in precolonial times to a form of dependent capitalism. Explores the relationships between education, religion, social structure, and social stratification patterns, especially among…

Defends race- and gender-based affirmative action against recent attacks by liberals and conservatives, arguing that a need-based approach is not an adequate substitute and demonstrating that there are three independent moral foundations for a race and gender approach that are not adequately met by the need-based alternative which would make…

Examines the purpose and function of stereotypical perceptions in graduate school and the early phases of career development relative to the author's experiences and observations as a Black female in academe. Points out ways that the political culture and institutional structures of the academic community shape and perpetuate racism, sexism, and…

Contends that the English coffee house was a social and economic institution that served as a daily newspaper and a center of commerce. Discusses coffee house origins, development, significance, and decline. Concludes that the coffee house served as a transition from medieval society to an age of rationality and industry. (CFR)

Explores the dilemmas posed by the analysis of working class issues in education by professional sociologists. Questions whether the inequalities experienced in the educational system by working class people have been "colonized" by middle class academics for their own professional purposes. (CFR)

Maintains that the inclusion of scholarship about women's history has not proceeded as vigorously in secondary schools as in colleges. Asserts that resources to incorporate women's history into high school curriculum are widely available. Identifies books by Anzia Yezierska and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. (CFR)

Argues that spaces must be opened for ethical action to take place. Contends that humans must attempt to overcome carelessness that stands in the way of morality. Places ethical commitments within the context of community. Suggests ethical demands should be responded to by addressing persons, not aggregates. Urges imagining possibilities and…

Searches for some precision in the discourse of whole language with respect to the role of the teacher as expressed in words such as empowerment, control, predictability, and authenticity. Observes and interprets the practice of two successful whole language teachers to refine understandings of these concepts as they are enacted in classrooms. (MG)

Argues that genetics, as popularized in "The Bell Curve" (Herrnstein and Murray, 1994), does not affect educational attainment and personal development, but environmental upheavals do. The environmental changes that effect educational and personal development are highlighted. It cautions that works involving pseudoscience, like "The…

Many parents are currently struggling to balance job and family responsibilities. Such attempts bring about changes in work and individual attitudes. This report presents the status of work and family in 1992, as well as the nature and direction of workplace changes to accommodate families. The report indicates that large United States companies…

The organizational characteristics of public schools, the impact of context on people in schools, and the consequences for school reform are examined. Based on the thesis that organizational characteristics of schools constrain most reform efforts, a suggestion is made for restructuring the teaching day, which promotes effective planning and…

A significant reason for the establishment of the junior college was the desire to limit the achievement of large numbers of college entrants, because there were not enough high level jobs for all who aspired to complete traditional degrees. In the history of the junior college movement, this problem of mass education has been attacked by…