Challenges and Opportunities in Area Studies Programs

Area Studies offer students new opportunities to complement their study of foreign language by gaining knowledge and understanding of the culture where the language is spoken. In the era of globalization it is essential that people be able to effectively interact with people From different cultures, This paper explores the nature of what cultural literacy is and what students need to know about a different culture. It stresses that one should be familiar with a culture’s myths, proverbs and idioms as basic fundamental knowledge. The remaining disciplines such as history, politics. economics and sociology are taught by the existing departments of the college and special care has to be taken that the curriculum of Area Studies doesn’t overlap or be redundant with already offered courses. Area Studies learning methods go beyond traditional classroom lectures. Students have to be directly involved in their learning by analyzing source material directly from the target culture. They must see themselves as cultural beings inter-acting with people who given the same set of circumstances think and make judgments entirely different than their own Opportunities to study abroad must be guided in such a manner that the encounters in the target cultures are recorded and create a database for analysis upon return home. Students will be equipped to canyon their ethrographic and analytical skills into their future lives and be able to effectively communicate and conduct business in foreign environments without the impediments that result from misunderstanding people from other cultures.