How to Teach History

Term Paper # 94978

African-American Studies > Racism
Asian Studies > Asian American
Education

This paper explores the issues of racism and Eurocentrism in American history textbooks.

2,300 words () | 8 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This essay examines the controversial issue of racism and Eurocentrism present in American history textbooks. The paper further questions how to appropriately teach history through textbooks. Different beliefs about how to teach history are considered as well as a set of new guidelines being proposed for teaching history.

From the Paper:

"For many years now, students have been taught about different, important historical events that have shaped the free, democratic country in which they live today. It can be agreed that most of the public schools in the United States begin teaching what seem to be the basics of world history at a very early age. For example, ever since kindergarten, children are taught significant events and made to believe in great explorers that seemed to be greater and larger than they actually might have been. Such historical figures are taught to seem like such noble people for being open-minded."

Sample of Sources Used:

Byrne, Michelle M. "Instructional bias--awareness and reduction in perioperative education." AORN Journal. 22 Apr 2002. <http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_4_75/ai_84865972>. 06 Mar 2007.
Castle, Tim. "Chinese may have beaten Columbus." The Seattle Times. 10 Mar 2002.
Gugliotta, Guy. "How should world history be taught?" The Seattle Times: CLOSE UP. 11 Nov 1994. A3.
Mills, Charles W. The Racial Contract. Ithaca, NY and London, UK: Cornell University Press. 1999. "Native Americans." Lewis and Clark. PBS.ORG. <http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/native/index.htm>l. 07 Mar 2007.
Parsons, Jim. "The Nature and Implication of Textbook Bias." Education Resources Information Center. < http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED280769&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b8010e9d0>. 07 Mar 2007.