Conservatism in Higher Education

I ran across an interesting organization, Students for Academic Freedom, at http://www.studentsforacademicfreedom.org/. They work to promote conservative viewpoints on college campuses, arguing that pervasive liberalism has undermined the diverse academic experience. I don't know about all of that but I do know that as an undergraduate I wrote a paper for a contemporary philosophy class on the healing power of prayer. I remember being terrified that the professor wouldn't even read it and just give me an F. Remarkably I got a B+ with some positive comments on my research and citations. But people should be aware that students and faculty who are not 100% liberal do feel insecure. I recently spoke with a colleague who talked about a lecture he was giving on "that Nazi George Bush". I don't love George but being someone who minored in Judaic studies I found that comment really offensive. Did I say something? Heck no, I just smiled and walked away.

New encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of Anthropology, a five-volume set from Sage Publications, is due to come out in January 2006. The reference set promises to provide comprehensive, current overviews on all aspects of anthropology including biological anthropology, paleontology, biogeography & apes, cyberculture, genetic engineering, HIV/AIDS, organic evolution, and sorcery. The encyclopedia, with over 250 internationally renowned contributors, will cover over 1000 entries, contain over 300 color photographs, and consist of over 2500 pages. More information

Lockwood Library anticipates ordering this impressive set for its reference collection and having it on the shelf for the Spring 2006 semester.

Cultural Heritage vs. a Parent's Wish

The Meskwaki Tribal Council is attempting to prohibit a mother from placing her child with a white family from Indiana [more]. Tribal lawyers say that under the Indian Child Welfare Act they have the authority "to prevent state and private adoption agencies from wrongfully taking away descendants of tribal members, as well as ensuring the option of keeping those children within the tribal community."

A number of research reports on native American children can be found online either free or under $10 at http://www.nicwa.org/policy/research/index.asp.

Lockwood library holds books and government documents discussing cultural heritage and native American children. Use the library's catalog to run a "subject search" using the term Indian children.