Patrick O'Meara Book order (chronological)

More than 40 years ago, Congress recognized the need for higher education to educate Americans about global cultures, leading to the National Defense Education Act, later known as the Higher Education Act. Title VI of this act has significantly supported foreign languages and area studies in universities and colleges, enabling millions of Americans to gain knowledge about different parts of the world. Today, new issues and perspectives arise as Americans increasingly encounter diverse cultures, business practices, histories, and ideologies. The U.S. is also called to intervene in international crises, highlighting the need for informed opinions on complex global problems. This work is aimed at administrators and planners in U.S. education, detailing the evolution of international studies from its origins under Title VI to current shifts in research, teaching, and outreach. A significant focus is on internationalizing K-12 curricula. The text concludes with insights into future trends affecting international scholarship and training in the new century, along with an extensive bibliography of international resources.

Since its first edition in 1977, this book has become a leading introductory text for African studies courses in North America. The third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated since the 1986 edition, incorporating significant changes in African society, politics, and scholarship. The book is structured into four main sections. The first section provides an introduction to Africa, discussing its problems and perspectives, along with a contemporary map of the continent. The second section delves into the African past, covering topics such as prehistoric Africa, early history, the influence of Islam, interactions with Europe before 1900, the colonial era, and the challenges of decolonization and independence. The third section focuses on society and culture, exploring social organization, economic life in villages and towns, African systems of thought, art, music, popular culture, literature, social change, and law. The final section addresses economics and politics, examining African politics since independence, economic changes, the development crisis, and a specific focus on South Africa. Additionally, the book includes a bibliographic essay on Africana resources for undergraduates, providing a comprehensive overview of the complexities and dynamics of the African continent.