2002-2003 UAF Catalog

Research

Cross-Cultural Studies, Center for

Established in 1971, the center is a teaching, research and development unit administered through the UAF College of Liberal Arts. It promotes programs that concentrate on the needs of Alaska's indigenous societies, with particular regard to educational needs and issues of rural Alaska.

Objectives of the center are to offer academic degree programs and course work in cross-cultural studies; design and conduct basic and applied research projects; develop, conduct and evaluate alternative educational strategies for Alaska schools; and disseminate findings on current Alaska research in education and rural community development.

The center is structured to provide technical support and information to school districts, social service agencies, Native corporations, tribal governments, community colleges and state and federal agencies in rural Alaska; to provide direction for the improvement of educational and professional development opportunities for rural Alaskans; and to provide a forum for the examination of cross-cultural and indigenous education and community development issues. Curriculum resources utilizing indigenous knowledge and Native ways of knowing are made available through the Alaska Native Knowledge Network www.ankn.uaf.edu/. For information telephone (907) 474-6431, or e-mail ffrjb@uaf.edu.