[Arthalion]

Pretty standard fare. Most college history courses go a bit broader than the US history we learned in the 5th grade and attempt to put events into more of a historical context. The lessons on the Inca and Maya are important because they show the development of the gold bearing civilizations that existed in central America before Columbus arrived. Why is this important to the history of the US? Because it was the Spanish discovery of those civilizations, and more importantly their gold, that drove Spanish exploration and colonization of the America's. It was the stories of that incredible wealth that spurred England, France, and the other European countries to join in the exploration.

Portuguese colonization of the African coast is important because that colonization was a part of Henry the Navigators drive to bypass Muslim lands and find a sea based eastern trade route. It was that drive which led to the discovery of the south Atlantic crossing, Brazil and the South American continent, and the first realization that the explorers had actually found new continents and not just new outer Asian islands. That realization prompted many nations to switch their focus from trade and wealth gathering to conquest and empire building. Again, these are factors that directly influenced the founding of the US.

It's not PC BS, but actual historical facts laid out in a way to make the student understand WHY the Americas were colonized, not just when and by whom.

[Dianna]

It's not PC BS, but actual historical facts laid out in a way to make the student understand WHY the Americas were colonized, not just when and by whom.

My American History class proceeded in much the same manner. My complaint was that we spent a great deal of time on this early history, and rushed through everything else (up to the Revolution). Her explanation was that prior to college most students get a reasonable exposure to the pilgrims, Stamp Act, etc. The information was interesting though.

[sangrila]

I would agree with most of what you posted, but I still have slightly less faith in America's higher education. I had US history classes that began with the Moors defeat at Granada, so I accept that a US history class should probably start sometime around 1492 and be a two semester course. I also accept that the Incas, Mayas, and other American Indians should be a considerable part of the curriculum. But there are only 30 or so classes in a semester, and the fact that the first 3 classes are comprised of these subjects sends off my liberal radar.

The first 3 classes should at least make some mention of the political atmosphere in Europe. I also feel the Maya and Inca should probably be covered in one class. They are extremely fascinating and rather extradordinary cultures, but should be covered in more advanced history courses. The Incas and Mayas should not be the point of departure in my opinion.

I also detect more sinister motives in this teacher opening with Portuguese colinization of Africa. I find it highly unlikely that the teacher's motives are to discuss the eastern trade routes to India. In fact, I would bet money that it was not even mentioned in that class about Portuguese colonialism in Africa. That lesson was probably entirely about the Portuguese' brutal exploitation of the Africans (and it really was very inhumane), and the Portuguese' role in starting the trade of African slaves in the New World. They were the first to bring slaves to the New Worls and they were the last to stop bringing them here. They brought more African slaves to the New World than any other nation.


With this said, I do agree that there is a possibility that this is a good teacher. I just think it is unlikely because of what I know about these schools. The poster of this thread should just let their son figure it out for himself. I am sure he will still learn things in the class.