Santorum claims that "7 or 8" U of California campuses don't teach American history

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Mevara

That was only one UC and I can't speak for the others.

Gotcha.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

How are American Ethnic History and Native American History not American History?

They are but not in the literal sense that he was probably talking about. My school offers History of Michigan and History of Detroit which technically falls under the umbrella of American History yet I'm sure Rick wouldn't think it would be a proper alternative to taking a general American History course.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I'm not sure why a college would offer a general version of American History, since it's a requirement for virtually every college-bound HS student. It's not like Art History where it's the first time a lot of students are being introduced to the field...

My school offered it
http://classschedule.wayne.edu/courses_new.cfm?Subj=HIS

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

They are but not in the literal sense that he was probably talking about. My school offers History of Michigan and History of Detroit which technically falls under the umbrella of American History yet I'm sure Rick wouldn't think it would be a proper alternative to taking a general American History course.

(Hope you know I'm not attacking you for Santorum's statements lol)

Like others have said, my state requires US History (which is the "American" History I'm sure he's referring to) in order to graduate, so college students will be familiar with the basics. It's counterproductive to have an entire course dedicated to going over basics that everyone should already know.

If he's upset about this, why not get mad that there isn't an Arithmetic 101 available? Where does it stop?

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

(Hope you know I'm not attacking you for Santorum's statements lol)

Like others have said, my state requires US History (which is the "American" History I'm sure he's referring to) in order to graduate, so college students will be familiar with the basics. It's counterproductive to have an entire course dedicated to going over basics that everyone should already know.

If he's upset about this, why not get mad that there isn't an Arithmetic 101 available? Where does it stop?

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx

I have to disagree with you at the bolded. Since college courses are more comprehensive then high school courses, I don't find it to be counterproductive. Should colleges not offer Political Science or Speech or Algebra courses since most high school seniors have to take these classes in order to graduate?

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I have to disagree with you at the bolded. Since college courses are more comprehensive then high school courses, I don't find it to be counterproductive. Should colleges not offer Political Science or Speech or Algebra courses since most high school seniors have to take these classes in order to graduate?

Since colleges are more comprehensive THAN (fixed that for you) high school courses, wouldn't it also follow that they would also be more in depth (as in focused on a smaller period of time or specific issue) than a general survey course?

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Since colleges are more comprehensive THAN (fixed that for you) high school courses, wouldn't it also follow that they would also be more in depth (as in focused on a smaller period of time or specific issue) than a general survey course?

Totally agree with this which is why I don't think they offer plain "American History" and have specialized courses that go over specific time/issue.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Mevara

I can tell you I never took Speech/Poli Sci in HS it wasn't a requirement. At least in California there are certain classes that are required to get into a UC and those are not on the list. I also can't see plain Algebra being offered as it is assumed you already have taken it in HS. (It is a requirement to take 3 years of math in HS)

ETA: At UC Irvine Pre-Calc is the "lowest" level math they offer.

At my HS Poli Sci was a required course for all seniors. It wasn't your intention but you just sort of proved my point for me.

To say that universities shouldn't offer a certain course because all students should already be fluent in that area of study is short sighted. Shall we also do away with placement testing as well since all students start college with the same educational background and skills?

Lets just divorce Rick Santorum from this topic because I think some of y'alls dislike of him is swaying your opinion here. Trust me, I am not a fan of him myself.

I'm not sure about UofM but all of the other state universities in MI offer Algebra and Trig. Is that a bad thing?

Originally Posted by Mevara

Totally agree with this which is why I don't think they offer plain "American History" and have specialized courses that go over specific time/issue.

Umm....That is plain "American History". It's usually broken into 50-100 year timespans (American His 1877-1945, 1945-Present) but it's still "plain" American History.

Are you under the impression that I'm speaking of a one semester, 9th grade level class that covers American History from Columbus to 9/11?

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I have to disagree with you at the bolded. Since college courses are more comprehensive then high school courses, I don't find it to be counterproductive. Should colleges not offer Political Science or Speech or Algebra courses since most high school seniors have to take these classes in order to graduate?

I can tell you I never took Speech/Poli Sci in HS it wasn't a requirement. At least in California there are certain classes that are required to get into a UC and those are not on the list. I also can't see plain Algebra being offered as it is assumed you already have taken it in HS. (It is a requirement to take 3 years of math in HS)

ETA: At UC Irvine Pre-Calc is the "lowest" level math they offer.