America's Middle East Studies Centers (MESCs) were originally founded to study the politics, culture, and language of Middle Eastern nations. But our analyses and case studies demonstrate that Middle East centers have since shifted their focus to promoting left-wing ideologies. "Hijacked: The Capture of America's Middle East Studies…

Scholars disagree about the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action for history educators and curriculum developers. Some scholars contend that responding to these Calls to Action requires rejecting the discipline of history and historical thinking approaches currently being implemented in history and social…

Experiential learning (EL) projects require planning, patience, and commitment on the part of the organizing and facilitating instructors. Language, culture, time zone, and institutional diversity exacerbates the inherent difficulties in conducting virtual, international EL projects. This manuscript discusses an ongoing multi-country project…

As the United States continued to grow as a world power throughout the later part of the twentieth century, government funding for international education grew more closely connected to its national security needs. Federal funds have contributed to the growth of Area Studies and studying Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs). Within the last ten…

Within Britain, geography as a discipline has been criticized recently for failing either to add to or teach knowledge about the world at large. Instead it has concentrated first at university and then in schools on spatial social science, with examples drawn overwhelmingly from the white Western world. The recent history of geography is reviewed…

There are a variety reasons for teaching about Japan. Many students in the United States are of Japanese heritage; Japan is the second largest trading partner of the United States; and some healing still needs to occur between the United States and Japan because of the damage and pain of World War II. Further, the Unites States and Japan share the…

A comparative evaluation program of the national cultural policies of European countries was proposed by the Council of Europe in 1985 with a view toward enhanced cooperative action in European cultural policies. These national reviews are comprised of four stages: (1) the preparation of a report by each country with regards to creation,…

This ERIC Digest examines: (1) the meaning of the term "Pacific Rim"; (2) reasons for emphasizing the Pacific Rim in the social studies curriculum; and (3) useful strategies for teaching about this part of the world. The terms, Pacific Rim and Pacific Basin, are used. interchangeably; however, the "Rim" refers to those nations…

Volume 5 of this publication features: (1) "It's Elementary: Strategies, Resources, and Ideas for Teaching Canada in the Elementary Classroom" (C. Turrone) in issue 1; (2) "The French Fact: Its Impact on Canadian Culture" (R. Wheeler) in issue 2; (3) a student award winning essay, "Black Americans and the Canada…

Issue one of this volume of "Teaching Canada" contains: (1) "Calgary: The Olympic City" (T. Rumney); (2) a winning student essay, "Sharing a Continent: Ways in Which Canada Affected the History of the United States" (J. Mar); and (3) "Canadian Sovereignty and the North" (W. Morrison). Issue two includes:…

This unit developed for middle school students utilizes the countries of Romania and Bulgaria as the basis for a study of their music and drama. Middle school students will recognize the commonalities of world music, dance, and theater by developing skills and understanding of elements of each art. Folk music and dance from Romania and Bulgaria…

Many reasons can be offered for teaching about Australia. The field of Australian studies offers many opportunities for U.S. teachers and students to critically analyze aspects of their own culture, for there are many experiences in the history of Australia that parallel the U.S. experience. Australia and the United States have strong ongoing…

This document discusses a rationale and alternative strategies for teaching about China. Topics include China as: (1) a communist nation; (2) as a developing economic and political power; (3) as a country with a rich historical and traditional culture; and (4) as a powerful contrast to Eurocentrism. Ideas and institutions are suggested as a core…

This manual provides accurate, up-to-date information about contemporary life in Japan and provides opportunities for students to develop cross-cultural awareness. The content of the lessons includes concepts traditionally taught in elementary school social studies programs. Lessons provide multiple opportunities for students to develop a variety…

This manual provides suggestions and materials for teaching about Japan. Designed as a supplement to typical textbook treatments, the lessons provide a range of readings, visuals, and activities to enrich and deepen student learning about Japan. Organized around topics dealing with history, geography, government, economics, and culture, the…