One of the most versatile and multi-faceted films that an educator can use to illustrate urban America in the 1930s is "Great Guy," a relatively obscure film from 1936 directed by John G. Blystone and starring James Cagney and Mae Clarke. There are some simple practical considerations that make the film such a good fit for an American history or…

Using baseball as its focus, this article demonstrates the importance of sport in helping students understand certain central themes of United States history. Provides a brief history of baseball and reviews scholarly works on its influence in United States culture. (JDH)

Progress in teaching American studies within the British education system is surveyed in this article. Particular attention is given to audio visual instructional material and to the areas of American literature and geography. (JH)

This historical review of literature dealing with ethnic minorities in the United States and crime concludes with a summary on the problem and some observations on the areas of needed study. (JH)

British developments in the use of film as a serious part of a history course are reviewed, with emphasis on film resources in Britain. (Author/KM)

American history and other branches of American Studies now have a prominent place in British universities. Although American history seems palatable to British students, there is some anti-Americanism which can be explained as occasional resentment of American expressions of national superiority or as negative views on American culture. (RM)

Chronicles the professional life of Carter G. Woodson, the person often credited with the rise of Afro-American history. Describes how white philanthropic organizations aided Woodson in his efforts to educate black citizens and establish black history as a legitimate field of study in U.S. colleges and universities. (JDH)

American popular music -- ballads, folksongs, and mass media songs -- can be used in an American studies class to trace social history. This takes advantage of young people's loyalty to music and enlists their aural sensitivities in learning about the United States. (JH)

Explores the cultural legacy of the United States. Characterizes the society as one which promotes cohesiveness and political unity, yet emphasizes individual initiative. Provides a number of salient historical examples in making this point. (KO)

This article, written in essay form, offers a bibliography of readings for teachers and students which was compiled for an American studies unit that focuses upon a three-fold approach: the theoretical and historical nature of growth, the evaluation of the entrepreneur's role in economic growth, and the image held of businessmen and business…

Discusses U.S. studies at Russian universities. Includes the status of the field, difficulties in obtaining sources, communist interpretation of U.S. social problems resulting in methodological isolationism, and low quality of scholarship. Warns against a shift in attitude that idealizes the Western experience. Argues that changes in mentality…

This article discusses how fiction can be used in college American history courses to explore the consciences of southerners before the Civil War. Among the books discussed are "Swallow Barn,""The Golden Christmas,""The Valley of Shenandoah,""The Kentuckian,""The Virginia Comedians,""The Master's House." (Author/RM)

An experimental high school course involved team teaching of American history and literature on the basis of five American novels. Learning objectives, class structure, curriculum units, supplementary materials, and evaluation techniques are described. (AV)

The author's teaching experience in France began in 1994 when she was offered a two-year position as "maitre de langues" (language instructor) at the University of Saint Etienne Engineering School. She had moved to France from Berkeley, California, the previous year along with a newborn baby and crates of photocopied archival material…

Provides alternative strategies for teaching about the 13 colonies and linking politics with social, economic, and demographic trends. Relates how syntheses of various studies modify earlier historiographical theories into a better interpretation. (TRS)