Introduction: Teaching American Studies past, present and future

Year 2002, Issue: 15, 1 - 8, 01.04.2002

Laurence Raw

Abstract

This is a special issue of the Journal of American Studies in Turkey devoted to issues of teaching American Studies. I believe that it is important to focus on this subject for two reasons - first, that to date there has been very little material appearing on the subject in this country; and second, because I do believe that in the current socio-political climate all teachers, whether in the United States or elsewhere, should not only be concerned about what they are teaching under the umbrella of 'American Studies', but more significantly about why they are teaching it. Are their main objectives to increase students' knowledge of America, its history and its current place in the world, or are they trying to go beyond studying the target culture and focus instead on inter- or cross-cultural issues? These are the two main points that will be addressed in this issue.