July 7th Research Assignment (Jeff)

I looked over the Mass History and Social Science Framework, and realized it was just about the same material I learned as I graduated High School in 1998. Of course, it is a European based history.

As a white male, I like to think I am open-minded to a diverse history. However, after starting the Donovan Program and reading works from Delpit, Freire, Woodson, and others, I am humbled by my ignorance. I knew African American history was not explored in depth, but I didn’t truly understand the extent to which it has been avoided.

What I found most interesting was under the ‘Civil Rights’ Movement in US History II, there was a short list of names, starting with Robert Kennedy. Not to say Kennedy was not important, but it just stuck out to me coming from a new perspective.

Concerning opportunities to modify the curriculum, I think there are always ways to do so. I will try not to take away from the required material, but I will incorporate and/or add specific histories of all other cultures represented in my classroom. Of course, I would have to feel out my supervisor’s limits first. Also, I will have to make significant effort to extensively learn other cultures as best I can.