Provides examples of distorted maps drawn by people from various times and countries. Argues that maps can be culturally confining and can reinforce ethnocentricity. States that exposure to many cartographic perspectives can help a person overcome ethnocentric cultural conditioning. Includes activities and questions for promoting cartographic…

Presents the annecdotal results of an analysis of 11 major publishers' high school world history textbooks. Provides criteria for evaluating such books and concludes that, as a group, these textbooks promoted Western ethnocentrism. (JDH)

Reviews the legislative and professional forces that have had an impact on shared learning. Finds that overcoming professional ethnocentrism will create an environment conducive to shared learning. (Author/CCM)

Presents a plan for a lesson designed to introduce a unit on Indian history. Focuses on ethnocentrism and assimilation and how these concepts apply to the situations of Indians as revealed in several quotations. Provides a list of some quotations and suggested activities. (AEM)

This teacher's guide will help secondary teachers teach about Japan using the best selling novel or television mini-series "Shogun." In preparing the guide, it was not possible to preview the television program before going to press. Therefore the lessons are keyed to the novel. The pages referred to in the lessons are in the paperback…

True citizenship education is impossible unless students develop the habit of intelligently evaluating cultures. Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization, a theory of innate human needs and of human motivation, is a nonethnocentric tool which can be used by teachers and students to help them understand other cultures. (SR)

Asserts that ethnic studies are interdisciplinary, and should be incorporated into all areas of learning to expand the students' world view. States that students must learn to judge the works of Black artists using an Afrocentric, not Eurocentric, model. Suggests ways of implementing the "Black aesthetic." (MM)

Noting that most basic communication textbooks do not include a cultural diversity component, this paper presents 14 experiential exercises aimed to integrate the multicultural issues related to interpersonal communication topics. The various experiential activities are adapted from intercultural communication textbooks, cross-cultural training…

The study of geography and culture are both essential to development of global awareness and multicultural perspective. The two can be integrated in secondary school instruction, with the result of enhancing each. Cross-disciplinary strategies and activities can be adapted to any course with a cultural component, including second language…

Presents a bibliography of reading materials, fiction, and poetry, that may be used in language arts classes to dispel some of the misinformation about Native Americans. Provides a list of some of the elements that could be included in an educational unit on Native Americans. (TB)

Teachers who lead classroom discussions of gay and lesbian issues are forced to confront their deepest feelings about sexuality and prejudice, a confrontation that many find uncomfortable for a number of reasons. They not only face the possibility that the discussion will turn negative but they also fear they will lose control of the situation. A…

Language learning is a form of cultural learning, and cultural learning embraces language learning. The goal of cultural learning is a continuing search for understanding that bridges cultures. Language can be a bridge, a system that constructs reality as it communicates about reality. Education in the U.S. has tended to define culture as American…

The paper discusses the relevance of studying ethnocentrism in the secondary level social studies classroom. The study of ethnocentrism (a people's assumption that their way of life is the right way) allows students to share in the methodology of historiography, helps them to be aware of the importance of ideas and attitudes as historical data,…

Suggests teaching comparative languages and literature to minorities in ways which encourage cultural diversity and create a less Western ethnocentric world view. (MM)

Presents a classroom exercise, "The Forced Migration Game," where students select three countries they would prefer to migrate to and three they would not like to migrate to. Explains the aim is to launch courses dealing with the study of other cultures. Includes three imperatives for studying other cultures. (CMK)