ERIC Identifier: ED363527
Publication Date: 1993-06-00
Author: Risinger, C. Frederick
Source: ERIC Clearinghouse
for Social Studies/Social Science Education Bloomington IN.
The Core Ideas of "Lessons from History: Essential Understandings and Historical Perspectives Students Should Acquire." ERIC Digest.
LESSONS FROM HISTORY provides a rationale for the study of history throughout
the K-12 curriculum and specifies core ideas, themes, and topics that undergird
both content and performance standards in United States history and world
history. LESSONS FROM HISTORY was developed by the National Center for History
in the Schools at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with support
from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The report represents more
than four years of collaborative work by distinguished historians, classroom
teachers, and curriculum specialists.
THE CASE FOR HISTORY IN OUR SCHOOLS.
The study of history
must reflect the three ultimate purposes of education in a free society to
prepare individuals for (1) active citizenship, to safeguard liberty and
justice; (2) a career of work, to sustain life; (3) the private pursuit of
happiness, or personal fulfillment. Historical study supports all three goals,
but is especially important in preparing students for citizenship and personal
Citizens without a common memory, based on common historical studies, may
lapse into political amnesia, and be unable to protect freedom, justice, and
self-government during times of national crisis. Citizens must understand that
democracy is a process--not a finished product--and that controversy and
conflict are essential to its success. For example, liberty and equality have
been in conflict often in our past; yet both are fundamental values of American
democracy. Students must learn that citizens are called upon to engage in the
ongoing debate about the nature and purpose of constitutional government.
History, along with other humanities, helps develop a well-rounded person
equipped to build a life of dignity and fulfillment. It creates connections with
people in other cultures and places us in the chain that links the past and the
future. The enjoyment of freedom and free choice comes from knowing the
alternatives possible in public and private life. History opens the great
casebook of human experience and helps prepare students for fruitful private
life and public action.
Preparation for work also is supported by historical study. History is a
foundation for such careers as law, journalism, diplomacy, government service,
teaching, management, and international business.
In the recent past, reports from government agencies, private foundations,
and noted individuals have called for more history for all students. The reports
rest on the premise that the success or failure of the American democratic
system depends on an enlightened citizenry, knowledgeable about its nation's
history and committed to its shared civic values. LESSONS FROM HISTORY provides
a common core of content, understandings, and historical perspectives upon which
this curriculum can be built.
WHAT AND HOW MUCH HISTORY SHOULD BE TAUGHT?
of history requires a significant increase in the time currently devoted to the
subject in most schools. No less than four full years of history should be
required of all students between grades 7-12, and the K-6 grades should include
history in ways appropriate to the capabilities and interests of the students.
No less than three full years of U.S. history should be required, with two of
those years offered between grades 7-12. Two years of world history should be
required, with at least one of those years at the senior high school level.
Selecting the specific historical topics and content for both world and
United States history requires an organizational structure based on enduring
themes and questions that exemplify the human experience. These themes must span
the great sweep of human history, from prehistory to the present, and must
illustrate the interaction of major forces of continuity and change. They also
must help students develop a basic framework in which major events and turning
points in history are linked to their antecedents, their consequences, and their
relationship to the contemporary world. The following major themes are presented
in LESSONS FROM HISTORY.
MAJOR THEMES IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
I. The Gathering of
the Many Peoples Who Have Made Up and Are Still Transforming U.S. Society
II. The Economic and Technological Transformation of the Unites States From
Colonial Days to the Present
III. Change and Continuity in American Culture, Thought and Education, in
Religious and Moral Values
IV. Democracy's Evolution in the United States and Our Changing Global Role
MAJOR THEMES IN WORLD HISTORY
I. The Development and
Changing Character of Human Societies
II. The Economic and Technological Development of Human Societies in the
Quest to Sustain and Improve Life
III. People's Development of Their Understandings of Themselves, Their Moral
Imperatives, and Place in the Universe
IV. The Development of Political Theories and Organization
* Major Theme I: The Development and Changing Character of Human Societies.
This theme includes a focus on human organizations from the prehistoric family
through contemporary social and political structures. Attention is given to the
movement and interaction of peoples throughout history for economic, political,
and social reasons. It is important to examine ways societies have viewed the
individual and to examine the impact of such developments as changes in gender
roles and efforts to expand political and economic participation to other groups
in the society. The multicultural foundation and evolution of American society
is included in this theme.
* Major Theme II: The Economic and Technological Development of Societies,
Resulting in the Continual Quest to Sustain and Improve the Quality of Life. In
world history, this theme includes developments from tool and fire-making to the
post-industrial world. In U.S. history, the focus is on economic transformation
from a group of pre-industrial colonies to today's technology-driven society.
Examples such as the emergence of agriculture and printing would be used in
world history. The development of the iron-tipped plow and the use of computers
are good examples of this theme in U.S. history. It also includes discussion of
the positive and negative impact of human development on the environment and
possible futures for science and technology.
* Major Theme III: Peoples' Understanding of Themselves, Their Place in the
Universe, and the Quest for Meaning. This theme focuses on fundamental questions
about humankind's place in the universe, the nature of justice, and the role of
the individual. In world history, these include religions, moral philosophies,
and political ideologies. In U.S. history, it would also include such topics as
the rise and development of the public schools.
* Major Theme IV: The Development of Political Theories and the Development
of Democracy. This theme examines comparative political structures and their
underlying principles. The development of political philosophy and related
topics such as imperialism, revolutions, and the evolution of national states
and regional/world mechanisms are also included.
Each of these four major narrative themes forms the framework for more than a
dozen recommended U.S. history units and six world history units. All units are
arranged chronologically and include major unit themes, major topics and their
development, essential understandings, and related background for teachers.
HOW SHOULD HISTORY BE PRESENTED?
Developing a rationale for
history and selecting the content are two legs of a three-legged stool. The
third factor included in LESSONS FROM HISTORY recommends seven principles that
are associated with effective teaching and learning in history.
* Chronological, Analytical Narrative. History's power flows from its
narrative character. Chronology serves not only as the organizing core for the
human experience, it can help bring structure and understanding to the social
* Interpretation of Narrative. Studying history means more than remembering
answers. It must include evaluating historical information and reflecting on
different interpretations of historical events.
* Inclusiveness. Both U.S. and world history must tell the story of all the
world's peoples--men and women of all classes and conditions, ethnic and racial
origins, national and religious backgrounds.
* Pausing for Depth. It takes time to analyze and evaluate historical
information. It is important to select some topics for in-depth study and the
examination of primary documents.
* Contingency and Complexity. The past must be seen on its own terms, not
through today's values. Students must see that individual and group decisions
shaped history and that some stories might have turned out differently.
* Exploring Causality. Depth and narrative help students grapple with the
historical question of causality. Why and how did things happen? How is one
event related to another?
* Active Learning and Critical Inquiry. Direct contact with historical
documents and different interpretations help students understand the complexity
and adventure in history. Teachers should use active learning strategies
appropriate to the content and student capabilities.
LESSONS FROM HISTORY can be ordered from the National Center for History in
the Schools, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024; telephone (310)
REFERENCES AND ERIC RESOURCES
The following list includes
references used to prepare this Digest and a list of related history/social
studies documents. The items followed by an ED number are available in
microfiche and/or paper copies from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service
(EDRS). For information about prices, contact EDRS, 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite
110, Springfield, Virginia; telephone numbers are (703)440-1400 and
(800)443-3742. Entries followed by an EJ number, annotated monthly in CURRENT
INDEX TO JOURNALS IN EDUCATION (CIJE), are not available through EDRS. However,
they can be located in the journal section of most libraries by using the
bibliographic information provided, requested through Interlibrary Loan, or
ordered from UMI or ISI reprint services.
Bradley Commission on History in Schools. BUILDING A HISTORY CURRICULUM: GUIDELINES FOR TEACHING HISTORY IN SCHOOLS. Washington, DC: Educational Excellence Network, 1988. ED 310 008.
Crabtree, Charlotte, Gary B Nash, et.al., (eds.) LESSONS FROM HISTORY: ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES STUDENTS SHOULD ACQUIRE. Los Angeles, CA: National Center for History in the Schools,
1992. ED 348 321.
Curriculum Task Force of the National Commission on Social Studies in the
Schools. CHARTING A COURSE: SOCIAL STUDIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. Washington, DC:
National Commission on Social Studies in the Schools, 1989. ED 317 450.
Downey, Matthew T., and Linda S. Levstik. "Teaching and Learning History: The
Research Base." SOCIAL EDUCATION 52 (September 1988): 340-342. EJ 378 161.
Harlan, Louis R. "Social Studies Reform and the Historian." JOURNAL OF
AMERICAN HISTORY 77 (December 1990): 801-811. EJ 425 022.
Nash, Gary B., and Linda Symcox. "Bringing History Alive in the Classroom: A
Collaborative Project." OAH MAGAZINE OF HISTORY 6 (Summer 1991): 25-29. EJ 445
Ravitch, Diane. "The Plight of History in American Schools." In HISTORICAL
LITERACY: THE CASE FOR HISTORY IN AMERICAN EDUCATION, edited by Paul Gagnon and
the Bradley Commission on History in Schools. New York: Macmillan, 1989.
Reed, Elaine Wrisley. HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN HISTORY. Washington, DC: U.S.
Department of Education, 1993. ED number will be assigned.
Risinger, C. Frederick. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN SOCIAL STUDIES. Boston, MA:
Houghton-Mifflin Co., 1992. ED number will be assigned.
Thornton, Stephen J. "Should We Be Teaching More History?" THEORY AND
RESEARCH IN SOCIAL EDUCATION 18 (Winter 1990): 53-60. EJ 412 384.