http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/

Founded in 1959, the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard is a collaborative unit affiliated with the Graduate School of Design and the Kennedy School of Government. The Center's central focus is to "analyze the dynamic relationships between housing markets and economic, demographic, and social trends, providing leaders in government, business, and the non-profit sector with the knowledge needed to develop effective policies and strategies." The site contains links to information about ongoing research projects, educational opportunities in the field, publications, and people affiliated with JCHS. The publication section is quite strong, as visitors can browse through a diverse set of publications (many of which are available at not cost) by thematic focus, including finance, community, development, and industry studies. One of the more compelling recent publications (most of which is available here) is the monograph titled Low-Income Homeownership: Examining the Unexamined Goal. [KMG]

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com

Standing as a testament to the wide ranging contributions of the Jewish people to world culture and history, this Web site contains the complete contents of the massive 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, originally published between 1901-1906 by the Funk & Wagnall's Company. Conceived and funded by the Kopelman Foundation, this compilation is the only free encyclopedia of Judaica available on the Internet. While the encyclopedia obviously does not include such topics as the creation of the state of Israel or the Holocaust, it is a rather fascinating collection that recalls an interesting period in scholarship, and is a helpful historical document. Visitors can browse by the encyclopedia by letter, along with viewing a transcription of each entry and any accompanying images included with each entry. Those who might be interested in helping compile an updated version of the encyclopedia are also invited to join the mailing list. [KMG]

http://www.enc.org/

Located at The Ohio State University, the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education (ENC) was started in 1992, and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Teachers who don't already know about this fine online resource will want to make sure and examine the thousands of curriculum resources available on the site. The bulk of the materials are contained with four primary areas: Web Links, Education Topics, Curriculum Resources, and Professional Development. The Education Topics area is quite authoritative, containing a number of important articles for educators dealing with classroom assessment methods, equity and diversity in the classroom, and implementing technology. Another nice feature is the monthly Digital Dozen, which highlights 12 valuable sites for math and science teachers. Visitors can browse the current selections, or view an archive that dates back to August 1995. For persons seeking to keep up to date on education news and research findings, the educational headlines and bulletins prominently displayed on the homepage will be an invaluable resource. [KMG]

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/mounds/
The pre-Columbian world of the American Southeast was a place teeming with a number of Native American groups, some of which left very discernable traces of an incipient urbanism that would be of great interest to later generations, including many archeologists and scholars. Working in collaboration with the Southeast Archaeological Center and the Natchez Trace Parkway, the National Park Service has created this online guide to the most prominent publicly-owned earthen structures created by the various Native American groups of the region. Visitors to the site will want to begin by reading the brief introductory essay, then continuing through to the interactive map of Mississippi that features profiles of each 11 mound sites. For visitors who wish to learn more, there is a thorough bibliography provided, along with a list of links related to archaeology, preservation, and tourism in Mississippi. [KMG]

http://www.usaid.gov/

Tracing its historical genesis to the Marshall Plan, the U.S. Agency for International Devlopment (USAID), was officially established on November 3, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. With this act, USAID became "the first U.S. foreign assistance organization whose primary emphasis was on long-range economic and social development assistance efforts." New visitors will want to begin their browsing by learning more about the organization in the About USAID section, which can be accessed from the homepage. Here individuals can read about the history of the organization, its various accomplishments, and read some of its key documents, such as the fiscal year performance overview, the strategic plan, and the complete Greenbook, which contains a complete historical record of U.S. foreign aid to the world from 1945 to 2001. The other areas of the site address such topics as the agency's work around the world, its policy statements, media information, and material about job opportunities with the organization. [KMG]

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/vietnam/?src=e_ce

Oriented around the theme of journeys, this online exhibit explores the various journeys that both the nation and people of Vietnam has undergone over the past few millennia, in particular the transition from French colonial control through the conflict with the United States, and the movement to a free-market economy over the past decade.
Curated by Laurel Kendall (and hosted by the American Museum of Natural History), the exhibit begins with Journeys Through Time and Space, where visitors can read some introductory remarks about the country, such as the various ethnic groups in the country, its geography, and history. The other sections (which are interspersed with photographs and illustrations) deal with death rites, the importance of various deities, and the transformation of the economy in the country. The site also features several fine video clips, including a 4-minute video of the rite that marks the passage of a young Vietnamese boy into manhood. [KMG]

http://www2.fmg.uva.nl/sociosite/

With the broad range of research interests covered within the field of sociology around the world, it is a formidable task to attempt to offer a clearinghouse of information about the various aspects of this area of scholarship. This site puts forth an admirable effort in this arena, and is maintained by Albert Benschop, a professor of sociology at the University of Amsterdam. The site is divided into 18 subject areas, including those devoted to courses, journals, data archives, research centers, associations, newsletters, publishers, and subject areas. The Sociologists section is quite helpful for those looking to peruse valuable online materials related to important persons who have worked in sociology (and other related disciplines), such as Claude Levi-Strauss, Robert Merton, Erving Goffman, and dozens of others. Almost every section is arranged geographically, facilitating searches for journals found in almost any part of the world, or for sociology departments on different continents. Finally, those who would like to contribute helpful links or materials to the project may also sign up to join up as a correspondent or editor. [KMG]