Development of a Rationale and Justification for the Specification of General Education Goals within History Curricula.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper examines history as a general education requirement in postsecondary institutions. General education tries to present a basic core of knowledge which is fundamental to all educated men and women. Research regarding goals for required general education and history reveals that a statement of goals is almost always couched in value terms. That general education is a component of formal education and must reflect the goals of formal education is an accepted truism. History as a part of general education must reflect the goals of general education, although much debate surrounds the issue of which goals ought to be promoted by a general education. History as a required course is justifiable primarily to the extent that it contributes to the goals of general education. Goal formation is confused by the lack of a clearly conceptualized statement of what it means to be educated in our social setting. Without a clear conception of the "educated person," educators are cast adrift, finding it difficult, if not impossible, to justify required general education history courses. (Author/RM)