For stylistic reasons, the essays will vary in their appeal to American students. Some of the materials in the essays reinforces stereotypes at the same time that it informs. The African Outreach Program at the University of Illinois has assembled a large number of handouts written by Africans and Africanists and compiled them in Curriculum Materials for Teachers, which has been issued in several editions since 1983. These are materials which can be photocopied and distributed to students. Almost all of the authors are or were affiliated with the University of Illinois as students or faculty.
Biographical information is provided on the authors in compilation.
The materials, intended as supplements to social studies curricula in elementary and secondary schools, are on diverse and specific topics such as folktales, directions for playing African games, information about and instructions for making adinkra cloth, music, sports, cocoa production, tourism and economic development. Most materials focus on a specific country and are written on topics for which the authors have subject expertise. The information in this volume focuses on French-speaking African countries. The materials created at Indiana University and the University of Illinois and usually present only one viewpoint on each topic. The subjects and countries covered are limited by expertise of those who voluntarily will write materials for use in American schools.