Paul Horton: Will Liberal Arts be Saved by the Common Core?
Guest post by Paul Horton.
The most valuable course I had in high school was a yearlong Humanities course. My teacher taught us philosophy, art history, music history, literature, and political and economic history all together, the way it should be taught.
Wherever I have taught courses that put the humanities disciples together, whether they were called Western Civilization or American Studies, they have always been very popular among students.
When I did my student teaching at Austin High, the most popular course by far was Humanities. I remember discussing the preparation for the annual Renaissance Fair in the late seventies sponsored by the beloved humanities teacher there, the partner of that intrepid young Texas Abraham Lincoln--Lloyd Doggett.
My high school does not teach the combined course, but a buddy, John O'Connor, teaches American Studies at New Trier High School, where it is one of the most popular courses.
All of us who love and value the humanities in American academic life are concerned with what is happening to American education. Humanities departments and courses at the undergraduate and secondary levels typically have trouble "adding value" to university and school communities
Student Body President in Exile Continues to Request Her Return
Maia Wu, the Southern California middle school student and 8th grade class president given the boot by her school district for her outspokenness, continues to press for her reinstatement.