Posted on 08/02/2006 8:40:07 PM PDT by SandRat
A national group is asking Arizona's public universities to require at least one United States history course of every student before graduation.
American History currently isn't a required course at any of the state's major public universities.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni has written letters to Gov. Janet Napolitano and 20 state lawmakers, asking them to pressure college regents and administrators to make the change.
"The flag doesn't mean all that much if you don't know how it got there," trustees member Charles Mitchell said. "What use is the Constitution if you don't know how it was written?"
State Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said he is exploring legislation that would require colleges that received Arizona tax dollars to mandate their students take American history before receiving a diploma.
"I think we have a fundamental responsibility," said Pearce, who sponsored the flag bill from this session. "The risk is losing our understanding and appreciation of the founding principles."
Faculty members note funding and other logistical problems that would come with an additional curricular mandate. Some are wary of what brand of history the American council has in mind.
Some students say they are simply tired of studying our nation's history by the time they reach college.
"You basically take U.S. history for your whole elementary and high school career," said Kristina Guerra, 20, a junior majoring in English at Arizona State University. "It's just really redundant. How many times can you learn about the pilgrims?"
The debate comes as Arizona school districts and colleges prepare for a new state law that requires the presentation of the U.S. flag in every public classroom, as well as display of the Constitution and Bill of Rights in classrooms for Grades 7 through 12 and college.
The measure, approved this session by the Legislature and signed by the governor, takes effect July 1
Mitchell said that, although the law is well meaning, it will do little on its own to ensure students have a grasp of the events and foundational documents that shape our nation.
What a shocker...real U.S. history?? An actual teaching requirement for our country's founding principles and events?? How UNLIBERAL, why academia will not tolerate this!!!
What a shocker...real U.S. history?? An actual teaching requirement for our country's founding principles and events?? How UNLIBERAL, why academia will not tolerate this!!!
bttt!
And no liberal crap from etext.org!
Good idea.When i went to college(way back when???)American and Georgia history were required.
You'd think they'd be teaching it in high school for crying out loud. I suppose in light of how illiterate kids are comiing out of school in math and English, it's no surprise they don't know their American History, too.
Be careful what we ask for - we may get it.
If left to their own curriculum, what the colleges would teach is the Ward Churchill version of U.S. history.
So what's worse - complete ignoramuses like those on Leno's Jay-Walk, or kids indoctrinated with history written by anti-Americans?
It should be a required two semesters of American History, during freshman or sophomore year.
Biology is required, as is Chemistry. Two semesters of World Civilization are required too.
Of course, my solution would be to extend high school by an additional year, and compress the four year high school curriculum into the first three years. The last two years of high school would be the equivalent of an associates degree in the arts, encompassing studies in History, basic science, Civics, Personal Finance, Art History, English/American Literature, Economics, and one practical skill - either auto mechanics, ROTC, basic computer repair, clerical, or for the college bound - two Advanced Placement courses in any subject.
Did I forget to mention mandatory athletics?
Damn, how sad.
My university (university of california) requires we take one "American Instiutions" requirement. I fullfilled it with two classes - a black studies one, and an actual american history class (although we concentrated on minorities, socialism, communism, the struggle of women, etc.)
I have mixed feelings about this. Which is worse - Left wing professors not teaching US History or left wing professors teaching US History? Tough call.
Not too many, evidently. What a ridiculous statement. There are so many things you learn at different levels and considering American high schools as they are now, I'm sure the retention level isn't particularly high.
Of course. It is mandatory to learn about our entitlement-driven society.
Wonderful History Site and Resources!
http://www.i-served.com/MagruderArticlesIndex.html
VIETNAM VETERANS FOR ACADEMIC REFORM
Good point.
But when would there be time for liberal arts!!?? :O
I hereby nominate Freeper LS to be the United States History Czar!!
I must've left out Philosophy... Introduction to Logic should be required too.
In my mind, what I described is an education in the Liberal Arts. Maybe a study of Latin, instead of a foreign language... Nah, too retro.
What a taskmaster you are. Sounds like a plan to me.
It interesting how many liberal arts classes engineering majors have to take, and how few science classes liberal arts majors have to take.
I need about 5 liberal arts classes, while liberal arts majors need 2 science classes (which can be fulfilled by pseudo science classes such as environmental studies, a surfing class or anthropology).
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