Cultural Encounters at St. Lawrence University. Final FIPSE Report.

This final report of a three-year project at Saint Lawrence University (NY), entitled the Cultural Encounters Project, details a faculty and curriculum development project that focused on particular issues in global or international studies. The project grew out of the so-called "cultural wars," or clash between those who sought to retain an exclusive focus on western civilization and those who sought inclusion of nonwestern and multicultural topics in the curriculum. This faculty seminar was initially planned to continue for 2 years; it included field study in Kenya and India and focused on developing a model of studying and representing cultures through their patterns of interaction and change over time. The seminar proved so successful that it was continued for a third year, and is projected to continue for another year. A total of 25 faculty members have participated over the three years of the program, during which 12 cultural encounters courses were created and taught. The program is also being offered on a pilot basis to three entering classes of student as an alternative general education track. Sample curricular guidelines and course descriptions are appended. (JLS)