Gotta be careful what you take at Evergreen

[david_anderson]

The summer schedule is out and it sucks compared to last year. There are still class that are kinda interesting, but nothing that has me jumping up and down going "ohboyohboyohboy

Comments

[david_anderson]

There are lots of important interactions between these groups, both good and bad, but they are far from all there is. Is the only native american history worth studying their bad interaction with whites? I personally don't think so. What about looking at the history of logging or fishing? There are native interests in both those areas, but it isn't ALL about the interaction between whites and indians.

What factually happened is part of the history, the agenda is not. Of course all history and history classes will have some bias, and I accept it. Bias is what you get with Tom Brokaw, agenda is what you get with Rush Limbaugh.

Here are a couple of history class descriptions for what are similarly hot topics, but without the agenda. You will notice that they are written without the inflammatory language.

The American Civil War

We will explore in detail the major causes, the course, consequences and lasting historical legacy of this monumental civil conflict. We will specifically analyze how this defining moment in American history is interpreted, remembered and portrayed in history texts, fictional accounts and film.

Black Popular Music: 1945-1995

This will be an interdisciplinary exploration of black popular music, especially those forms that emerged in the post-World War II United States. We will examine blues, jazz, rock & roll, soul, disco, funk and rap/hip hop in their historical, social and political contexts and the ways in which these genres have represented “complex, often deeply paradoxical phenomena which [have] managed both to challenge and affirm the core values and assumptions of mainstream America” (Brian Ward).

Mexican Revolts

This intensive class will explore three popular revolts in Mexico within the historical context of Mexico’s indigenous civilization, its 20th century social revolution and the NAFTA-driven, neo-liberal restructuring of the 1990s and early 21st century. We’ll learn about the Zapatista Army for National Liberation in Chiapas, the Machete Rebellion led by the farmers of San Salvador Atenco and the rise of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) led by the teachers union in the State of Oaxaca.

[mshrmit]

As a history teacher, I completely agree with you. The racist and imperialistic issues should not be ignored, but they should not be the sole focus of a general overview class either.

[david_anderson]

The best history teacher I ever had was in 8th grade American history/social studies. He was really big on looking at motivations, and not prejudging. It worked so well, that when we got to the civil war, one of my friends made a comment that made him stop and think.

- What if the reason that slavery ended in the mid-1800s had more to do with mechanization than moral issues? At that point, we had machines that could start to replace slaves, so we could afford the moral indignation. We followed that tangent for almost a week. Was my friend right? Who knows, but I still find it a fascinating question.

If the teacher goes into the class with the agenda to teach about the evil racist and imperialist European Americans, there is little opportunity to question and challenge motivations and beliefs.