The insularity and preoccupation with Western culture and ideas in the United States presents difficulties for the effective teaching of Eastern languages and culture. Interdisciplinary cooperation at all educational levels is needed to encourage the learning and teaching of less commonly taught Eastern languages. (CB)

The paucity of citations of Torsten Husen writings is an example of cultural ethnocentrism and academic imperialism in U.S. educational and psychological research. Cross-cultural perspectives, interdisciplinary analyses, and global learning are proposed as methods of overcoming the methodological parochialism, overspecialization, and international…

Analyzes the content of chapters on education in 22 introductory sociology textbooks. Argues that the texts focus on the northern industrialized nations to the exclusion of developing nations' educational issues. Suggests that textbook coverage of northern influence, cultural factors, alternative developing nations' educational models, inadequate…

Contends that there is a general lack of sensitivity to the issue of cultural bias as exemplified in the names of sports teams and ethnic stereotypes. Reviews four options for European-American educators as they seek to cope with this issue. Concludes that cultural liberationism is the approach that will lead to full participation while…

Asserts that central goal of sociology is to provide students with sociological perspective or the ability to reflect on their own society from a distance. Argues that ethnocentricism can be affected by an "insider's bias" and an "outsider's bias." Describes the use of Horace Miner's "Body Ritual of the Nacirema" as a…

States that the inverse relation between the level of education and ethnocentrism, right-wing authoritarianism, or anti-semitism is one of the most robust empirical results to be found in survey research in Germany. Refutes the critique that the empirical result is merely an artifact of method. (CMK)

This study examined experienced and novice teachers' views on teaching in multicultural classrooms, asking 40 elementary student teachers and 26 cooperating teachers how they viewed the needs of students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Participants rated 23 statements about multicultural education on a Likert scale of agreement, and completed…

Lack of commitment, lack of knowledge, and lack of leadership allow contradictions between what is professed (appreciation of cultural diversity) and what is practiced (Anglo-oriented monoculturalism) in American education today. The traditional melting pot philosophy has failed to respect ethnic differences, and has consequently resulted in a…

Scholars have observed the historical change in emphasis in American society from Anglo conformity and the melting pot to the notions of cultural mosaic and cultural pluralism. A large number of institutions offer studies of ethnicity, racism, cultural differences, value clarification, and experience in teaching from a multicultural perspective.…

Reports a study that investigated ethnocentrism in foreign language education. The study utilized a quasiexperimental intact group design where nine sections of first-semester German students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one that stressed German and American cultural similarities, one that stressed German and American…

Discusses the multicultural training process with Anglo trainees as it relates to supportively assisting Anglos with the difficult task of confronting White racism, teaching Anglos to respond empathetically to challenges from ethnic-minority colleagues and clients, and introducing Anglos to the joys inherent in multicultural counseling. (RJM)

Objective: To address cultural diversity within the context of informative speaking. Type of speech: Informative. Point value: 15% of course grade. Requirements: (a) References: 3 (1 reference must be an interview); (b) Length: 5-6 minutes; (c) Visual aid: Optional; (d) Outline: Yes; (e) Prerequisite reading: Chapters 3, 18 (DeVito, 2003); (f)…

This paper reviews and analyzes current literature addressing the issue of multicultural communication education. The notions of ethnorelativity and relational empathy are investigated in the paper and introduced as the components of third-culture building (a dynamic and creative process through which individuals construct a new and mutually…

The application of sociolinguistic principles should be the concern of every professional person who has any control over what goes on inside a classroom, particularly the teacher, who has the most regular, if not the closest contact with the student. It sometimes seems, however, that in their approach to multidialects in the classroom, teachers…

This study explored hetero- and auto-stereotyping in 23 Pakistani students studying in the United States; 21 French and 20 American college students enrolled at the University of Besancon, France; and 59 American college students who had never lived or studied abroad. All subjects completed a four-page questionnaire in their native language in…