Empire Redefined: Part 2

Dutch empires in publishing and territorial colonization are examined and compared during the 19th and 20th centuries for their relevancy to today. As decolonization took hold around the world, the Dutch divested geopolitical control of their colonies. At the same time, science publishing emerged from a precarious financial footing to one of solid revenue, profit, and unrestrained growth. Part 2 continues the story of two Dutch legacies and their impact on our current times.     

Learning virtue

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the task of learning virtue through the lens of self-determination theory. Drawing on SDT’s account of motivation and of innate psychological needs, I defend a theory of learning virtue that emphasizes knowing why virtue is important is pivotal to the development of virtue.     

Strengthening ‘the foundations’ of the primary school curriculum

The low status of the foundation subjects (e.g. Music and Physical Education (PE)) in English primary schools is well documented. Using PE as an illustrative example, a thematic analysis of 51 PE trainee students’ assignments, based on their perceptions of a two-week experience in a primary school, highlighted a number of areas of concern (e.g. limited/inadequate preparation; insufficient teacher knowledge/confidence; variable/limited subject leadership and non-qualified teachers delivering the curriculum). The possibility of teachers, coaches and other external specialists learning collaboratively with and from each other within a community of practice/learning is proposed as one way of strengthening the foundation subjects within the primary school curriculum.     

No ‘self’ left behind? Part-time distance learning university graduates: social class,graduate identity and employability

Higher education (HE) is regarded as a pathway to upward social mobility for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Social mobility is itself seen as important both for individual and national prosperity and is a key driver of government funding for HE. While access to HE has substantially increased over the past number of years, the evidence suggests that social inequalities continue to be reproduced, with working-class students more frequently accessing lower status institutions and courses. This in turn can impact negatively on their labour market outcomes. This paper offers a critical appraisal on the employability discourse. Drawing on a survey of 268 distance graduates from an Irish university, together with 5 individual interviews, findings indicate that distance graduates are likely to be from lower socio-economic backgrounds and have delayed participation in university education for reasons relating to social class. Although mostly in employment, they are motivated to participate in HE by their concerns regarding their long-term employability. The literature identifies that our employability is something we negotiate with others. This paper posits that, for distance graduates, in addition to this process of convincing others, the graduate must also convince themselves of the value of their own achievement. Transitioning to graduate employment, and developing a graduate identity, can therefore be a slow internal and external process of negotiation.     

An Innovative Higher Education Course to Meet Industry's Needs

This paper describes the development and implementation of a multilevel undergraduate degree course in technology management designed to meet identified needs of manufacturing industry. The program has a number of innovative features, including flexible entry and exit points and three levels of award, and is delivered in the workplace with the aid of a computer managed learning system and self paced learning materials supported by electronic mail and workplace tutorials. A feature crucial to its success is extensive collaboration with industry, a partnership with a technical and further education college, and cooperation between applied science and business faculties. An evaluative account of the implementation of the program in two motor vehicle manufacturing plants during 1990, and a discussion of the implications of the findings of the evaluation are also included.     

The sexual abuse of young people with disabilities: Treatment considerations

Research has indicated that sexual abuse of individuals with disabilities is frequently repeated and chronic, and often results in significant harm to the victim. Furthermore, while abusers are most often family members or acquaintances, many offenses are committed by paid service providers and occur in disability service settings. Findings indicate that victims with disabilities often experience difficulty in obtaining treatment services that are accessible and appropriately adapted to their needs. Based on the necessity of appropriate treatment, considerations and strategies are discussed for therapy adaptations to meet the special needs of sexually abused young people with developmental disabilities.