Examines the challenges accompanying inserting Francophone literatures of the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa into the curriculum. This article suggests additions to the syllabus and discusses three theories useful in weaving together all Francophone literatures--a process duplicating the "metissage" of cultures. (31 references)…

Many notions can be incorporated into the foreign language commercial course to explain and complement its intrinsic technical content. A course in commercial French was developed at the College of Charleston (South Carolina) in response to the foreign language instruction opportunities and potential graduate employment opportunities provided by…

Courses on French civilization and culture should begin with a presentation of essential information, including historical background, role of the state, and the weight and presence of the past. They should move on through public life--politics, commerce, industry, social structures, the media--to the experiences of day-to-day life. (Author/JR)

To avoid teaching only the sociocultural views and values of the dominant social class of a language group, second language teachers should include dialectal variation in the curriculum from the outset, exposing students to authentic language use and the views and values of non-dominant, ethnic minority, and other speakers. (MSE)

This paper suggests that the teaching of world history from a U.S. and European history viewpoint does not help students understand and develop insights about the contemporary world. The context within which current events occur is more important than simply teaching about specific facts. The process of learning must be considered along with…

Examines the conflict between students' focus on learning the grammar and vocabulary of a foreign language instead of considering the culture that lies beneath the target language, in this case, Italian. Suggestions are made for overcoming the practical difficulty of imposing a language as a cultural entity upon the students. (25 references) (CK)

Discusses the inadequate and often inaccurate treatment of native Americans in U.S. history courses and textbooks. Examines the impact of the Indians on such aspects of U.S. culture as language, clothing, recreation, medicine, government, and literature. Includes a suggested classroom project for acquainting students with Indians and other…

Contrasts the communicative approach to foreign language teaching with a proposed cognitive-anthropological approach. The primacy of comprehension over action is argued, and topics are listed for foreign language/culture study that correspond to universals of human experience proposed by anthropologists. (Author/LMO)

It is argued that a traditional, historically-oriented course in 17th- and 18th-century French civilization continues to be an appropriate and effective approach for undergraduate French study, in preparation for later, more sophisticated cultural analysis. Four course components are discussed: class lectures; literary text selection; textbook…

Describes programs aimed at reducing the harmful effects of culture shock. Strategies adopted include information giving, cultural sensitization, isomorphic attribution, learning by doing, and social skills training (SST). It is argued that SST is most effective. (Contains 47 references.) (Author)

The current growth in language study for business-related communication should be viewed as a two-fold opportunity: to extend the ideals of a liberal arts education to a broader base of students and at the same time allowing humanities students to gain skills useful in today's world. Just as the study of humanities can help create a more balanced…

Questions related to the teaching of Russian and Soviet literature in the second language programs in India are explored, particularly, the amount of time to be devoted to the study of literature, an appropriate method, and the most appropriate time to introduce it. Russian has been taught in India for only 30 years and only recently have…

Argues that from the perspective of second language learning, college teachers should focus on an integrated undergraduate curriculum combining the teaching of linguistics and literature with language learning in an instructional approach informed by second language acquisition research. Emphasizes that multiple benefits are derived from a…

Asserts the need for new undergraduate culture studies textbooks that maintain broad historical scope and shed the Western humanistic model. Proposes a "postmodern textbook" less concerned with covering canonical facts than with issues to be discussed and situations to be analyzed. (21 citations) (VWC)