J. Michael Adams, the president of Fairleigh Dickinson University, says that colleges must quickly adapt to the global age, catch up to businesses that operate across countries and incorporate global studies throughout the curriculum. However, he adds, although more mission statements and position papers are popping up advocating international lessons and global education, not much substance lies behind the rhetoric. As evidence, he cites the following reports.
The first, written by Douglas McGray, in the May/June edition of Foreign Policy magazine, argues that, despite all the changes produced by globalization, the average classroom remains insular. His article, “Lost in America,” sadly concludes that young Americans “represent something of a paradox: surrounded by foreign languages, cultures and goods, they remain hopelessly uninformed, and misinformed, about the world beyond U.S. borders.”
That conclusion is supported by the Committee for Economic Development’s 2006 report on the importance of international studies, which declared that “most schools have not responded adequately” to America’s global challenges. As a result, American students lack knowledge of other regions, languages and cultures, and “are likely to be unprepared to compete and lead in a global work environment.”
But if colleges at least are publicly professing interest in global studies, why the lack of substance? In his book, Adams suggests several reasons. First, most new programs and methods are viewed with great suspicion in academia. Also, because international programs do not often fit neatly within any traditional discipline, there is often little coordination or support. And when funds and time are limited, international programs are judged expendable.
“Perhaps most significant,” he says, “there is no clear consensus about how to change the curriculum. Rather than engage in the debate about where to start, many decide to put off the discussion.”
Nothing like a traditional, ivory-tower approach. If the discussion is difficult, don’t have it!
“Also, because international programs do not often fit neatly within any traditional discipline, there is often little coordination or support.”
I agree with this 100%, as a recent college grad I can say with certainty that many people are not prepared for the global culture that we now have. Not aware of how other people do things and how the smallest little difference to us; could mean the world to someone else.
It’s quite shocking how few people can point out various nations on a map, or speak another language fluently. We as Americans believe we are the best and it’s not our job to adapt to others; unfortunatly this is not the case. Being in a technology related field I understand that I must be able to adapt and work with a wide variety of people.
What a sad state this country is in
I’d say calling South America and Africa communists is giving them too much credit.
As for those of you like Bryan, just leave. Really. You can do it. If the country is so bad off, take a hike. Then, once you get to your destination-utopia of choice, send me a post card, admiting that the kids there are as dumb as the kids here.
America is a great country. That is why our kids can be just as stupid as kids in other countries. When you are in a country as great as ours, who needs to work hard or improve things. Letting the whole place stagnate is good for the country. Inbreeding is also good. Those who do not like it, can take a hike.
Some arguments are just plain silly.
I gave my kid a subscription to National Geographic, figuring that would help.
Getting involved with the world started plenty of wars. Getting more involved is the wrong solution.
Getting involved in the world without knowing anything about the regional issues got us in a lot of wars. Actually learning things (like the difference in Shia and Sunni before the we invaded Iraq) would help reduce war, as violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
#2 – Unless Dragons are communist by nature, I think that James’ comments only prove that many citizens of the US can’t read a map well. There is nothing in the picture to indicate that South America or Africa is communist territory.
I have spent the past nine years working for a multi-national German company, and our division alone has operations in six different nations. In my experience, the Americans are (generally) the least well-educated in foreign affairs. At the same time, they are also some of the hardest working, and the most technically adept at their specialties.
I think that some of the culture that gets passed off as American arrogance is actually a derivative of the English empire and their colonial remnants. For instance, at our company meetings (even those hosted in Germany), the meetings are held in English, as it is the most global of the languages represented. People from the US, Asia, South America, Spain, Russia, France and Germany may be present and they may not speak German, but they will all be passably fluent in English. Please don’t blame the all of the globalization of English on the U.S. – we’re just taking advantage of the trend started by mother England and following the path of least resistance.
Personally, I feel fortunate the both of my children attend excellent public schools with a huge assortment of foreign nationals. In many of their classes, English-speaking, native U.S. citizens are the minority. They’re definately developing a cultural awareness that I never had as a young child.
Greg, it’s called a joke.
Then again, since you work for Germans, we can understand your lack of a sense of humor
#4: You gave your kid a subscription to National Geographic?
What nation would that “National” be then? Yurop?
Send him/her to a language course in France or Italy or Belgium (French, Flemish, German) or Switzerland (German, French, Italian) instead of buying him a subscription.
Or go on holiday to some small town in Mexico and have him/her play with the local children and try Spanish yourself! (Oh, and Cancun is not considered a small town)
😉
Fabrizio
“As for those of you like Bryan, just leave. Really. You can do it. If the country is so bad off, take a hike. Then, once you get to your destination-utopia of choice, send me a post card, admiting that the kids there are as dumb as the kids here.
Ah, the always intelligent approach – America love it or leave it, I’m dumb and I like it that way, I can even crap in my pants if I want to, and you can’t tell me ….
This goes back decades…
I graduated from High School, in California, in 1976 [Bicentennial! woo hoo!]
I was in a “college prep” path, and my Mom wanted to make sure I could get into any college in California – if I wanted to go.
UC system had toughest standards, requiring 2-years of a foreign language – and my tiny HS could barely find enough students to keep a Spanish and French class going – so I took 2-years of Spanish to meet minimum eleigibility for UC.
Other kids in school: “Why take a foreign language class, when are you ever going to use that?”
Even funnier, in hindsight, that it was Spanish I took – since my new neighbors speak it fluently. [grin]
Art, you fail to realize that criticisim without suggestions for improvement is meaningless… just like all articles of this ilk.
Don’t like the state of the American educational system? No disagreement here, but making statements along the lines of “we’re stupid” without any real ideas for improvement adds nothing to debate.
My statement stands.
#12 I’m sorry, was the idea of leaving country a “suggestions for improvement “?
No, it was a challenge: One no one who bitches about America seems to have the balls to take up.
Knowledge of foreign cultures and languages isn’t that important. People who are immersed in such areas will learn it. Vermonters will know more French on average, and Texans will know more Spanish. The reason Europeans are so much more aware is because they have less distance to go to get to different cultures and languages.
#14 Challenge? You just said it yourself “Don’t like the state of the American educational system? No disagreement here” so what is your challenge, that life outside of US is possible? or maybe that educational system somewhere in this world sucks too?
Wow, you’re not playing with a full deck, are you Art?
The challenge is, if your viewpoint is to say Americans are stupid, leave. Solve the problem for yourself if you don’t have any ideas on how to solve it for the whole, and chances are the whole will benefit from your departure.
Disliking the American educational system and saying Americans are stupid are two terribly different things. On the contrary, I’d say that Americans more than make up for their lack of intelligence in the wisdom department.
Funny how wisdom, or what some people call common sense, is often rejected by the far-left.
“…they remain hopelessly uninformed, and misinformed, about the world beyond U.S. borders.”
I think they’re being generous by inferring that the students are properly informed about the world within the U.S. borders.
Nobody said (until you that is) that Americans are stupid. Being uneducated and/or ignorant is one thing, and usually solving the first problem will help with the second, on the other hand being stupid … well I don’t know any cure for that.
…….
“Americans more than make up for their lack of intelligence in the wisdom department.”
Sorry, that’s not possible – don’t confuse intelligence with being educated – you can be intelligent and be uneducated. Intelligence is related to mental abilities, if you don’t have them – lights out in all departments.
……..
Funny how wisdom, or what some people call common sense, is often rejected by the far-left.
Now, that is just a sad statement.
I like the US system…I worked for US companies for a quarter of a century…I am a European with a sad origin from the south…anyway, never mind.
My two cent worth contribution to the subject:
Are US folks any stupid? No way! They got far better ethics, integrity and common sense than all of us Europeans put together!
Are they less aware of things happening and basically less educated? Well, typically we Europeans enjoy intellectual orgasms by claiming in all our arrogance that Americans are kept ignorant by their media and government…I’d like to see real stats though proving the case…as I said, sounds good and makes us feel better about ourselves…
and…
Don’t fool yourselves folks…US citizens are largely originating from Europeans, Aseans and Africans…since intelligence is hereditary, blaming the Yanks for being stupid is no different than looking at our mirrors…
If we want to make higher education more relavent to todays world and to put out students that actually learn something we need to look at the English model. Curriculiums are not over loaded with subjects not related in some way to the primary degree or area of study. In American universities you spend 2 years in boredom and union job providing classes that have nothing to do with why you are there.
In England(especially the so-called elite schools) you hit the ground running, it takes 3 years to be able to become a solicitor(lawyer) compared to 6 to 7 here. The reason is simple, they have eliminated the classes that don’t add to your degree. These classes are offered, but you decide if you want to bother, not the university.
The thing is, we fail most of our kids in the elementry and high school years, then spend 2 years trying to make up for what they should have known before they got to university. It dosen’t work. Are there really kids not up to speed on the world….hell yes, but I live in England part time and it’s there as well.
This map is my favorite in the world Eideard….my friends in Europe and here love to use it.
#2, I’d say calling South America and Africa communists is giving them too much credit.
As for those of you like Bryan, just leave. Really. You can do it. If the country is so bad off, take a hike. Then, once you get to your destination-utopia of choice, send me a post card, admiting that the kids there are as dumb as the kids here.
Comment by James Hill — 8/2/2006 @ 6:54 am
#8, Greg, it’s called a joke.
Then again, since you work for Germans, we can understand your lack of a sense of humor
Comment by James Hill — 8/2/2006 @ 8:09 am
Where is the funny?
#12, Art, you fail to realize that criticisim without suggestions for improvement is meaningless… just like all articles of this ilk.
Don’t like the state of the American educational system? No disagreement here, but making statements along the lines of “we’re stupid” without any real ideas for improvement adds nothing to debate.
My statement stands.
Comment by James Hill — 8/2/2006 @ 10:43 am
sans any meaningful suggestion?
#14, No, it was a challenge: One no one who bitches about America seems to have the balls to take up.
Comment by James Hill — 8/2/2006 @ 11:29 am
So it isn’t a joke
#17, Wow, you’re not playing with a full deck, are you Art?
Maybe your joking has confused him
The challenge is, if your viewpoint is to say Americans are stupid, leave. Solve the problem for yourself if you don’t have any ideas on how to solve it for the whole, and chances are the whole will benefit from your departure.
That isn’t a challenge, to put it mildly, it’s a suggestion.
Disliking the American educational system and saying Americans are stupid are two terribly different things.
Don’t you just hate it when you can’t blame your stupidity on your education
On the contrary, I’d say that Americans more than make up for their lack of intelligence in the wisdom department.
Funny how wisdom, or what some people call common sense, is often rejected by the far-left.
Comment by James Hill — 8/2/2006 @ 12:35 pm
So we’re back to funny. When stupidity is confused with wisdom or common sense, of course it is rejected.
#6….Smartalix…..ok….this is getting serious….this is twice in a week that I’ve agreed with you. I could lose my standing at Conservative school.
Being English and having lived in Germany and visited the states i have to say among peers i find myself to be far more aware of the ‘global’ world than my American friends, in some cases even more so than the American media, as i find it to be highly directed towards pushing a point of view rather than an objective view of a situation. This can only be a hinderence to a global outlook as one of the most important things is being able to see both sides of the story. I’ve heard all the passport stats about Americans (apparently due to cost) and it’s quite amazing to me when i think that during the summer a vast number of English travel abroard to somewhere, even if it’s only in Europe but still you get the experience of a different culture and way of life. I suppose the largest problem for Americans is that anywhere apart from the U.S. is a long haul flight.
Yea, Americans need to get in touch with other cultures and start hating Israel and Jews just like everybody else.
#25….lol…..not sure my Mom would be pleased about that.