Texas State History Standards Video
January 23, 2010
Watch and share an animation of the Texas State School Board’s amending of their state history standards.
Texas State History Standards
January 20, 2010
As historians, we understand that history is constructed. And how we construct history deeply effects what then becomes socially accepted historical truths or popular historical narratives. This is hardly an area without controversy. The attached article describes a debate that is occurring in school districts across the United States. Respond with your thoughts, reactions.
Texas History Standards Article (79)Follow the rest of the story here:
Dr. Kevin Hatfield wrote the following:
I thought this recent controversy over the proposed adoption of a new social studies curriculum “standard” in Texas would offer a timely and relevant case study for our continuing examination of historiography with the teachers.
The proposed standard states: “Explain actions taken by people from different racial, ethnic, gender and religious groups to expand economic opportunities and political rights in American society.” The standard largely represents the last 30 years of “New Social History” and reflects scholarship such as Quintard Taylor’s “Racial Frontier” Thesis. Incidentally, the standard also embodies our own “American Dreams” and “Expanding Democracy” themes.
It would also add to our earlier conversation of the proposed Florida Bill we performed during the first weekend workshop. You also mentioned that Paul expressed his interest in incorporating Robert Miller’s _Native America_ into his workshop.
Robert Miller Discussion
January 11, 2010
The book “Native America, Discovered and Conquered” is an important work. Dr. Hatfield and myself are looking forward to the book discussion, but would like to start the conversation ahead of time. Please, on this page, list questions or insights you have on the work that you would like to discuss further. Also, feel free to respond to each other posts. Dr. Hatfield will be monitoring the page and will use it to structure the discussion.
First Question/Post:
I am curious as to how this work is connected to the James Loewen, Lies My Teacher Told Me, and David Lewis’s talk.
Your ideas?
Go to the TAH Discussion Forum to participate and respond or leave a comment here.