Introduces the concept of state-forbidden research terrains and examines one such terrain in detail: post-revolutionary Cuba. Examines how U.S. decision makers create and maintain forbidden research terrain and explores the consequences of Cuba's closure to social science investigation. Suggests actions that social scientists might take to open up…

This article presents eight letters written by young South Africans which describe what they think United States students should learn about their country. (JDH)

Suggests six activities for teaching United Kingdom students about the United States and vice versa. Ideas include word associations, map and globe work to discover climate and habitation patterns, exchange of student projects, and relevant textbook passages. (JDH)

Concentrating on events in Canada during the last ten years, this article discusses the Quebec separatist movement and other strong regionalisms in Canada. Important processes involved with conflict and compromise within the Canadian state are examined. (RM)

Discusses two key problems that plague intermediate French courses, particularly the overemphasis on the formal study of grammar and the neglect of content. Suggests that emphasis be shifted to a coherent presentation of contemporary culture, and that grammar be relegated to its proper place as the vehicle of effective communication. (MES)

University-based review of international research centers, especially area studies centers, is encouraged. The issues are: What are the objectives of area research? According to insiders, what have been the main achievements? And what are some of the main problems and opportunities facing the centers now? (MSE)

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 decline of German language and area studies worldwide is documented, and ten specific strategies for strengthening German language education in Australia are outlined. (MSE)

Discusses the evolution of comparative literature as a discipline in the 20th century and how comparative analysis has affected other academic disciplines, focusing on the impact of comparative literature and analysis on Russian and East European studies. (Contains 11 references.) (MDM)

In this article, we have explored the issues that Ministries of Education confront in their large-scale assessment policies and practices as literacy curricula expand to include the new literacies of information and communication technologies. Based on a series of interviews with Ministry personnel, we have described their current progress to…

The 1950s and 1960s were formative years for comparative education societies in different parts of the world, including the United States and Soviet Union. In need of finding a noncapitalist source of inspiration, socialist authors resorted to N. K. Krupskaia (Lenin's wife) as a discursive founder of Marxist-Leninist comparative education. Until…

Understanding U.S. culture is difficult, because the information explosion creates an increase in the number and complexity of various cultural relationships. American Studies is a valuable and unique discipline because it directly addresses this problem, the basic purposes of education, and the relationships that shape students' culture. This…

The need for international education is undeniable when we examine the interdependence of our economic and environmental systems and the declining knowledge base of Americans concerning international issues. The President's Commission on Foreign Language and International Studies was established to address this problem, and focused on the…

Discusses the reintroduction of geography into national school curricula--specifically, Louisiana--as a consequence of the renewed emphasis on the mastery of basic academic subjects. Stresses the challenge of providing teacher training, teaching geography through concepts rather than facts, and makes recommendations for teaching world geography in…

Rural and small-town Ontario, Canada is introduced through illustrations and discussions of seven typical elements that helped shape the province: cemetery, house, barn, hall, fence, roadscape, and main street. Having students make and discuss sketches is an excellent way to help them learn about the human geography of an area. (RM)