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Offline seahorse513

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Learning US History
« on: February 21, 2011, 06:35:46 PM »
I read this article via the Portland Press Herald about learning US History at the college level

http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/colleges-dont-teach-about-our-presidents-or-any-other-u_s_-history_2011-02-21.html

Now I may go on a rant, so forgiveness in advance is appreciated...

A person usually learns about US History in their primary grades in school (grades 4-8), usually a pre equisite for HS freshman.

When a person is a freshman in college, the last thing they want to learn all over again is US history and US presidents

However... trustees of colleges and universities probably feel that most students should know US history at that point. HS students can choose their own curriculum, unless it's a required class. I think all HS seniors should at least a US government course, especially on the voting process. Having the teacher explain the different parties, what they stand for, pros and cons, etc...Let me throw this last question out there...
If this could happen... would people make better decisions in voting? probably not, but it is definitely worth a try
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Offline Thor

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2011, 06:39:30 PM »
When I was in High School, Civics was a required class in order to graduate.

Rebel & I were discussing old style high school vs college the other day. We both came to the agreement that IF on was in High School through about 1980, they learned as much as most college students do now. Perhaps not in certain specialized fields, but in general knowledge.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2011, 06:40:59 PM »
I don't remember having civics/government as a required class in high school.  I do remember they replaced civics classes with 'social studies' which is some sort of half-assed world history multiculturalism garbage that I had to sit through during junior high/middle school.  I did take history in high school but it never touched on how government is expected to function, beyond the barest of explanations of the three branches of government.

I ended up taking world history again in college.  The class started (predictably) in Mesopotamia and ended somewhere around the Reformation.  If I had it to do over again, I would take US history.
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Offline seahorse513

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2011, 07:06:55 PM »
I went to a catholic school myself, the nuns were worried about my soul more than anything else. I went to a public hs, and NH history was a pre-equisite for freshman,

Sparky could tell you I knew nil about US Government when I was on the other forum. I knew I was out of my league when it came to politics, so I didn't say too much. Most of the arguments were between Sparky and this left field asshat woman. I knew in my gut that Sparky was 99.9% right in these arguments, and the asshat would get so pissed!!
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The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline IassaFTots

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2011, 07:35:43 PM »
When I was in HS I took US History, Texas History, World History and Government.  All required. 
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Offline Odin's Hand

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2011, 07:38:50 PM »
In Jr. High here in OK, we had to do 1 year of OK History/Civics in 8th grade. Then in HS, we had U.S. History in 9th and 10th, World History in 11th and Government (mostly federal processes) in 12th.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2011, 07:41:27 PM »
:???: State history was never an option or a requirement here.  Shame, this state has some very interesting history, geography, and natural features.  The only thing we don't have is the beach. 

The main library downtown has a state history exhibit.  I keep meaning to go down there and check it out, but I don't care for boring museums where everything is on display behind a piece of glass like they do at the natural museum of history downtown.
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2011, 07:52:49 PM »
That would be Athena, and yeah, she was wrong on most everything.

I wouldn't consider my formal education in history and government particularly overwhelming...a few years of Social Studies/US History up until 8th grade, a semester of American Government, and maybe one or two history classes in college.

But even that should be a start into wanting to delve deeper into how the government functions--after all, we are a part of the whole and one would think (or at least hope) that natural curiosity about one's environment would take hold.

Then again, most of the people on SCC just spewed talking points and didn't dare do any research before they hit the "Post Reply" key.
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Offline seahorse513

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Re: Learning US History
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2011, 08:51:30 PM »
Quote
Then again, most of the people on SCC just spewed talking points and didn't dare do any research before they hit the "Post Reply" key.

Yeah I admit i did that(hit submit without back up documentation)but, someone said RIF :whistling:, and I was like OKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK, gotcha!!

but back to topic, maybe we should make people take a government/history class every 5 years before they can vote....
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The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher
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