Clifford Adelman
Published: 1992
Total Pages: 84
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This monograph, based on college transcripts of 10,700 students included in the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS-72), examines how culturally literate is the generation that is now in its thirties and what people in that generation studied that exposed them to different cultures, societies, and intellectual traditions. Findings determined that the amount of time spent on studying standard college subjects dwarfed the amount of time spent on studying all other cultural information combined. Also, exposure to cultural literacies other than that of western societies was extremely limited, and the bulk of this exposure to western traditions was confined to introductory-level courses. Additionally, the extent to which a student was exposed to cultural information was largely determined by his/her major. Recommendations are provided to students on how to approach, judge, and act upon their academic choices in light of the many requests and requirements from commissions, accreditation bodies, and faculty senates to study certain subjects. Contains 66 references. (GLR)
