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Abstract

This study investigated students’ perceptions of the study of evolution in a small conservative Christian college. Students’ interest in the subject is influenced by several factors, including prior exposure to the material, students’ belief system, and the instructors’ attitudes towards the subject. These factors also determine the ability of students to understand, discuss, and analyze evolutionary-leaning arguments. Participants were students in a Foundations of Biology class. They completed a survey instrument that was administered by the College’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Analysis of the results indicate students are interested in the material, think it is important to study, and value discussing these issues in a supportive Christian environment. Implications for strengthening faith integration and student intellectual growth are discussed.     

Sexuality,Masculinity, and Confession

The practice of confessing one's sexual sins has historically provided boys and men with mixed messages. Engaging in coercive sex is publicly condemned; yet it is treated as not significantly different from other transgressions that can be easily forgiven. We compare Catholic confessional practices to those of psychoanalytically oriented male writers on masculinity. We argue that the latter is no more justifiable than the former, and propose a progressive confessional mode for discussing male sexuality.     

Career-Planning and Placement Services: Evaluations by College Recruiters and Placement Directors

Fifty-five college recruiters and 64 placement directors rated 19 career-planning and placement services and 8 kinds of student data on their value to recruiters. They also evaluated the most appropriate times for the use of student data. Significant differences between their ratings were found for 16 of the services and none of the kinds of student data. Significant differences between the groups' evaluations of the most appropriate times for the use of student data were found for 4 of 8 types. Recruiters and directors seem to be in complete agreement about the values of services and student data but in less agreement about the best times for using the student data.     

LEGAL CONCERNS IN THE USE OF WEIGHTED APPLICATIONS1

The use of the standard weighted application procedure relies on strictly empirically derived keys for validity. While weighted applications are generally valid in terms of the correlation between score on the application and position on the criterion, the empirical scheme may weight items that can not be shown to be relevant to the job for which they predict. To the extent that employment decisions are based on non-job-relevant weighted applications, such decisions may be contrary to the letter or the spirit of the Civil Rights Act. Alternative methods incorporating job relevance into the weighting procedure via job analysis inject the “hand of reason” into the process. Such rational-empirical approaches ensure job-relatedness as well as validity.     

Naturalistic Inquiry and Counseling: Contemplating Commonalities

Drawing on the recognized or developed skills of the counselor and adapting them to the research context can improve both research and the practice of counseling. The similarities between conducting naturalistic inquiry and providing counseling are contemplated. The values, skills, and characteristics of counselors as practitioners and as naturalistic inquirers are discussed.