One-Page Summary 
	This project will develop of an educational, state-of-the-art, interactive software system for 
presenting, in an intellectually engaging and stimulating way, a humanities perspective on human culture.  
The system will be used to teach and present research methods and critical analysis for the often 
overlooked  humanities tradition within cultural anthropology.  Most funding for anthropology comes from 
social science sources, hence the humanities aspect of anthropology has become neglected.  Yet it is that 
very dimension of anthropology that is crucial today for understanding globalization and the interaction of 
diverse groups.  We know that the most effective teaching takes place when both the students and the 
teacher are engaged.  Computer-simulated environments are very successful at that dual engagement.  
Furthermore, this project’s “game environment” application will be made available outside the classroom.  
The project is innovative, fills a critical gap in the humanities, and will result in a substantial expansion in 
the concept of a student:  the student becomes anyone, anywhere, with access to a computer.  
	Our goal is to give students a tool for understanding other peoples by teaching ethnographic 
techniques and methodology through an interactive, on-line, game environment for stimulating learning 
about human culture and social behavior.  Specifically, the application will teach ethnography techniques to 
focus on  (1) global awareness, (2) cultural diversity and interaction, (3) decision-making in a cultural 
environment, and (4) anthropology in general.  This application will be designed for educators and students 
with various levels of humanities education and computer skills.  In practical terms, the developed 
application will be leading the way in college-level instruction on the Internet (as well as in the classroom).  
It will be made available to teachers nationwide via Internet access and  CD-ROM, thus supporting not 
only local but national education goals and needs.  This project will advance the use of technology of 
teaching teaching humanities in the new era of electronic education and distance learning.