The Academic Encounters series uses a sustained content approach to teach skills necessary for taking academic courses in English. There are two books for each content area. Academic Listening Encounters: American Studies engages students through interviews and academic lectures on stimulating topics from the field of American Studies. Topics include civil rights, traditional American values in relation to life today, country music, sports, and the globalization of American slang. Students practice note-taking skills, discuss content, express their personal opinions, and make presentations. A Student Audio CD with the lecture portion of the audio program is included. Topics correspond with those in Academic Encounters: American Studies. Each book may be used independently, or the two books may be used together to form a complete four-skills course.