In the lead article, Persson (2012a) focuses on salient issues that have not as yet been addressed by others, and which are relevant, and germane. With the advent of the Internet and web and e-mail, conversation and discussion among scholars have increased tremendously. At the current time, researchers are able to share their data, their thoughts…

In this paper, I discuss globalisation as an empirical reality that is in a complex relation to its corresponding discourse and in a critical distance from the cosmopolitan ideal. I argue that failure to grasp the distinctions between globalisation, globalism, and cosmopolitanism derives from mistaken identifications of the Is with the Ought and…

Issues in promoting cultural pluralism in the language classroom are examined: how to "set the stage" for culture contact that is not intimidating but gives students new perspectives, the teacher's role (informer, witness, for example), and building on students' intercultural experiences. (MSE)

Culture shock is discussed as it affects Americans who travel extensively abroad. Culture shock can lead to total withdrawal from the new culture or to increased awareness, personal growth, and the development of new cross cultural skills. Communication problems contribute to culture shock in the form of language barriers, nonverbal…

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)

Argues that the universalist perspective of mainstream social psychology, which holds that the biases of European Americans are replicated for African Americans and other minorities, reflects mainstream North American thinking. Mainstream psychologists may generalize their own experiences fallaciously. Only by acknowledging sociohistorical…

This paper addresses the question of how can teachers promote an interreligious dialogue at a "grassroots" level. The document suggests teaching about another religion, such as Buddhism, as a belief system while deepening the students' understanding of their own religious traditions. After expressing concerns that the issues may be too complex and…

After a brief discussion of the impressions made by outsiders on natives of developing countries, recommendations are made for a culturally sensitive development worker/educator, including contacting appropriate governmental agencies; involving host country partners in planning; listening; acting ethically; being sensitive to the prevailing…

Just as schools can teach consumerism and active criticism toward unfair advertising techniques, so too can schools teach a watchdog attitude toward prejudice through the use of multicultural reading materials in libraries and classrooms. (HOD)

Discusses the problem of ethnocentrism in the educational system of the United States. Suggests that knowledge needs to be redefined to reflect a multicultural view of the world rather than reflecting an "us against them" outlook. Argues that the humanities need to be decentered so that minority students are not alienated. (DK)

I argue in this paper that the hidden and official curriculum of Slovenian public elementary schools work together to develop an ethnocentric and Eurocentric frame of mind when judging other cultures. This presents an obstacle for the professed promotion of intercultural learning and valuation, and fosters the social marginalisation of ethnic…

Refutes the concept that a single and universal tongue is ideal and the rich diversity of languages is an unfortunate state of affairs, pointing out that the mastery of several languages enhances cultural understanding and experience. (eight references) (CB)

Urges a broader definition of the term "multicultural counseling," and explores the potential contribution of multiculturalism to the theory and practice of counseling. Briefly reviews the current status of training in cross-cultural and multicultural counseling, and offers suggestions for upgrading the preparation of multicultural…

Using multicultural readers for writing courses runs two risks--"pockmarks and pustules." Pockmarks refer to problems with the multicultural readers or books themselves, while pustules refers to characteristics associated with readers or the ones who read the books. Pockmark No. 1 is that readings may create negative opinions or…

In teaching Asian American literature on the college level, the first consideration is to try to choose works that dispel the dominant stereotypes. One of these stereotypes is the "otherness" myth that Asian American culture is very exotic, distant, mysterious, as in "the mysterious and far East." In reality, Asian Americans…