No one doubts that globalization is one of the most important trends of today. As American universities expand their global footprint with branch campuses in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and elsewhere, many faculty are concerned about oppressive governance, human-rights violations, and lack of academic freedom abroad. Meanwhile administrators grapple…

Describes the development of the interdisciplinary French studies program at the University of California at Berkeley, inspired by Michel Foucault, and discusses recent program activities. (Author/VWL)

The function of area studies in the university and its relationship to the traditional department is examined with consideration to the solution of short-range problems and to the long-range advantages of each type of organization. (Author)

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)

The failure of American Institutes to thrive even under auspicious circumstances involves political concerns that go beyond academe. (Editor)

An interdisciplinary course can offer new dimensions to both teaching and learning, but along with freedom there must be discipline. (Editor)

Quality assurance in UK higher education has maintained a very strong disciplinary bias. This brings about important challenges in assessing the quality of multidisciplinary courses as well as assessing the quality of the student experience of joint honours and combined honours degree courses. Area studies is a critical case of…

To increase a student's awareness of the complexity and comprehensiveness of the man-nature interdependence, the University of Oklahoma has developed an experimental course for engineers. Study is made of a local situation in which man has deliberately and irreversibly altered his environment. Goals, format, rationale, implementation, evaluation,…

Problems in area studies programs are linked to three deficiencies: weakness of all interdisciplinary programs, failure of the U.S. government to supply leadership and resources, and American inability to link essentially academic programs to those that have public policy goals. National and international support are encouraged. (MSE)

This yearbook presents new perspectives and materials on Japan that are engaging, relatively jargon-free, and shaped so that their usefulness in a college classroom is readily apparent. The yearbook represents an example of the potential for genuine scholarship that lies within interdisciplinary studies. Articles are divided among five thematic…

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)

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 the United Kingdom the intensive study of major regions in college level geography courses has declined in importance, and multidisciplinary area studies courses have become popular. In some, geography has played a major part; in others, it is insignificant or absent. Geoaphers should become more involved in area studies. (Author/RM)

This journal presents new perspectives and materials on Japan that are engaging, relatively jargon-free, and shaped so that their usefulness in a college classroom is readily apparent. The journal represents an example of the potential for genuine scholarship that lies within interdisciplinary studies. Articles are divided among three thematic…

Describes a project initiated by the Foreign Language Department of Birmingham-Southern College for their Interim term and discusses an interdisciplinary course focusing on Medieval Europe. The course included presentations on German and French language and literature, as well as lectures on the arts, philosophy, and family life of the period.…