Hello students! Welcome to the HY 102 Western Civ blog. This first week will be a quick exercise just to make sure you know how to use a blog. Simply comment in reply to this one question: Should most college students in the Unites States continue to take Western Civilization as the “bread and butter” survey history course, or should schools be offering a more comprehensive and global history with greater focus on areas outside of “the West?”
This blog is intended for educational purposes around the EDM 510 class only. Please be mindful of posts.
This is both an excellent question and a timely one as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that you do pose a really good question. I think it is important to take Western Civ as well as a general world history to provide the framework to understand American History. As someone who graduated with a Bachelor's in History, I think it's immensely important to take as many history courses as possible. I think it is important to take a general overview course first before delving into specific courses though.
ReplyDeleteI actually have my Bachelor’s in history as well. I also totally agree that one must truly understand world history to have a proper appreciation for U.S. history. I actually plan on teaching some of those general overview or survey courses myself.
DeleteI agree with Ms. Whitmire. I still believe in a "well rounded" education and find that it is important students be taught world and western history. Western Civilization courses should still be valued as the course provides students with a better understanding of our culture and background.
ReplyDeleteGood point Sarah. However, many would argue that Western Civilization be taught in place of world history. Teaching only Western Civilization though, would obviously not allow much room for teaching subject matter outside of Europe and North America.
DeleteI think a world history course ought to be taught in place of a Western Civilization course. However, the problem with covering world history is the material gets very dense, very quickly and I would imagine turn people away from history at the collegiate level. So, I guess universities are doing the next best thing in offering simply a western civ course.
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