Why are many urban universities' relationships with their surrounding communities fraught despite university efforts at community engagement? Relationships between the factors underlying university-driven neighborhood change remain largely unexplored. In this article, I take the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) as a case study and examine the…

This citation analysis examines the ability of the local collection at the Pennsylvania State University to meet the needs of global and area studies researchers focusing on monographs published by faculty members on Latin American studies in a ten-year period. The study focuses on book use to address the tempting notion that packages and online…

For the purpose of increasing knowledge among geographers and other interested people about Micronesia, the article discusses Micronesian history, location, political importance, and culture. (DB)

Describes area studies as a product of the federal government's decision to provide needed resources beginning with World War II. Defines the elements within area studies as degree of specialization, factual knowledge, in-country experience, and language competency. Notes area studies research is loosely related to public policymaking. (NL)

Suggests current natural sciences model insufficient for rural sociology. Suggests reconceptualizing basic and applied social science to define non-natural phenomena with hierarchical characteristics including elements of agency or choice, social production and reproduction, learning, and creativity. Suggests using heuristic models and…

Presents an annotated bibliography of primary resources which deal with political issues in Africa. For each of the 13 entries, information is presented on author, title, publisher, publication date, number of pages, and an annotation. Many of the works were written by African authors. All of the works were published between 1966 and 1980. (DB)

Questions in what language and by what means social science knowledge should be diffused in African countries. Aspects of the African situation discussed include the teachers' role, oral history, educational objectives, and availability of instructional aids. Journal available from The Editor, International Social Science Journal, UNESCO, 7 Place…

Major approaches to teaching African politics on the college level are reviewed, the state of the art of teaching African politics is evaluated, and major problems facing teachers of African politics are highlighted. Problems include the size and variety of African nations, ineptness of western pedagogy in describing Africa, and problems of…

To support the hypothesis that much misinformation and many stereotypic attitudes are presented about Africa to elementary school pupils, the article analyzes 10 readers for African content and assesses effects of an African content intervention strategy on elementary school students. (DB)

Focuses on activities that took place in courses on contemporary French society. In these courses, students and instructor attempted to develop a series of analytical tools from a systematic body of visual, oral, and textual materials in order to increase cultural understanding and speech styles of French-speaking communities or social groups.…

The author traces changes in American social studies teaching about the Soviet Union over the past 30 years. He finds that these changes parallel shifts in the political mentality from the Cold War, through detente, to America's renewed suspicion following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. (SJL)

Suggests and annotates educational materials for use by instructors of college-level courses on regional geography of Europe. (Author/DB)

Presents and briefly explains 31 African proverbs which are used to guide the behavior of growing childern and to help them to mold their characters. The proverbs deal with knowledge, experience, hard work, and human relations. The author believes that a study of language and literature, including proverbs, can help students understand other…

Reviews myths, misconceptions, and unintentional biases about Africa in United States K-12 social studies textbooks. Summarizes common topics and recommends additions. Provides the names, addresses and phone numbers of 10 university-based African Studies centers. Concludes that improvements to textbooks must continue. (JDH)

Surveys the existing treatment of Asia in upper elementary and secondary social studies textbooks. Treats improvements needed in such areas as: (1) global issues important to Asia, (2) content and approach, (3) economics and politics, (4) geography and resources, (5) international relations, and (6) treatment of subregions. Provides a…