Believes that all students should focus on the interpretation of documents in the secondary history curriculum. Describes a unit where students learn to interpret the events of the "battle" of Fort Pillow (Tennessee) that was the most controversial engagement of the Civil War. Provides background information on the battle of Fort Pillow. (CMK)

Analyzes methods of teaching American social history and the merits of new (narrative) versus old (analytic) methodologies. Using college syllabi as models, the article concludes that historians must remain storytellers to be effective. (TRS)

Recommends enlarging perspectives of colonial American history by expanding geographic boundaries and ethnic group considerations, emphasizing ethnohistory, and enlarging time period studies. Benefits include possibilities for indigenous comparative history, comparative history of colonization, and interdisciplinary history. (CK)

Most students do not enter college-level history classes knowing much about the history of slavery and race relations. As James Loewen pointed out in his book "Lies My Teacher Told Me," most K-12 history textbooks and classes avoid controversy and therefore steer clear of discussions of slavery and its impact on American history. However, a…

Describes a year-long elective film course in modern U.S. history for twelfth grade students. Explains course methodology and objectives. Analyzes selected films to illustrate how the course elucidates the consensus-conflict theme in U.S. history since the 1930s and enhances student understanding of Hollywood's perspective on gender, race, and…

Develops a series of computer-assisted instructional (CAI) programs as a learning tool to accompany a U.S. history survey course. Divides a 2-semester course into 12 chronological periods. Explains how course structure incorporates rote materials into visually stimulating gamelike scenarios. States that software for the course is available,…

Discusses reasons for studying history. Suggests that compelling arguments for historical study will affect students' attitudes throughout life. Evaluates common rationales for studying history. Includes history as fun, tradition, great ideas, human folly, escapism, and nationalist legitimation. Urges that students be taught history as facts that…

Analyzes problems confronted when integrating women into U.S. history textbooks and college survey courses. Reviews feminist scholarship to examine how women's experiences have differed from men's throughout U.S. history. Although acknowledging the importance of exploring these differences, argues scholars also must investigate women's…

If history teachers' aim is to teach students how to think, why not ask: What forms of thought do historians use, and what specific techniques will inculcate these forms? In this article, the author proposes a fundamental shift, from courses with a focus on the mastery of data to courses with a priority on learning the historian's craft. The…

Explores the rationale for including the Holocaust in the social studies curriculum and analyzes how aspects can be introduced at elementary grade levels. Outlines course objectives for studying the Holocaust that are relevant to major issues in social studies. Notes 34 states do not require world history courses and textbook content is uneven.…

In 1999, the City University of New York (CUNY) abolished remedial programs in its four-year colleges and began to rely on standardized test scores as criteria both for exiting remediation and for admission to bachelor's programs. By doing that, the university has in effect eradicated its three-decade-old "open admissions" policy, argue…