Rick Santorum Falsely Claims California Schools Don't Teach American History
article on SFGate (website of the San Francisco Chronicle)
Now, that's a simple claim to fact-check, and several people under the sway of reality's well-known liberal bias have already done so:
Politifact gives Santorum a "false" on this claim and trace the likely source that he garbled: a Peter Berkowitz editorial in the WSJ lamenting that many U.S. universities no longer require undergrads to take a course in American history, or a survey course on Western Civilization. If that were so, it would indeed be a disturbing development. But that's not what Rick Santorum remembered from the WSJ (or whatever he 'was reading last night') He said US universities no longer teach basic American history at all, and pointed to the UC system as the case in point.
Well ... oops!
Rachel Maddow took Santorum's silly extrapolation apart on her show, which was picked up by many news outlets:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/04/2730900/rachel-maddow-debunks-santorums.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/04/4389109/maddow-uses-uc-davis-course-catalog.html
Of course Stephen Colbert could hardly pass up this one ...
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/411675/april-03-2012/rick-santorum-speaks-from-his-heart---california-colleges
Santorum mutated "no longer require" from the WSJ op-ed into a claim that seven UofC campuses "don’t even teach an American history course" If that a crazy claim that should have prompted someone in his campaign to google " 'American history'' University of California' " - which prior to yesterday would have placed this obvious corrective in the top 10 (now the Santorum story hogs the front page of results...)
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/counselors/graduation-requirements/history/index.html
This policy statement rebuts even the weaker claim of the WSJ editorial that UofC has stopped requiring that undergrads take American history, let alone Santorum's whopper that they've all ceased teaching this subject to anyone at all.
Santorum clearly must have lapped up unquestioningly the invective in the WSJ editorial, fitting it into his preset frame of "America's Colleges are Hotbeds of Liberal Bias and Anti-Americanism!" so that it evidently morphed in his narrow mind into something such as "See? They've cancelled all their American history courses, they hate America so much!"
First, think about what it says about America that the Republican Party can only muster presidential primary candidates of this calibre - and this is one of the long-standing contenders, not Herman Cain. Surely the world of corporate leaders should have any number of normal, rational individuals of a conservative bent, and possessed of some life experience, intelligence and judgment? I would assume a rise to prominence in the corporate world would usually weed out fools, rubes and the terminally hasty-minded; but perhaps none of these rational CEOs is willing to dive into the mud pit of the presidential primary?
How to be your own fact checker
I like going online to check something I've heard to see if I find the real story. I especially enjoy doing this for anything university-related. I work at a university, I take university courses in my spare time, I read academic journals in my spare time and like to notice which universities show up as leaders in a particular area of inquiry.So asking just how wrong Santorum got this one tickled my google-bone. As a mental exercise, I first tried to see how many of the UC campuses I could name from memory without resorting to the Google. This reminded me of the family fun game of 'categories,' and its assorted variants ('list as many instances of these as you can think of: breeds of cattle! Bogart films! Australian celebrities! and so on...)
With no hesitation I came up with six off the top of my head: UCLA, UCBerkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz; I had to fall back on the web to remind me of UC Merced, UC Irvine and UC Riverside, and rounding out the set of ten is UC San Francisco, which I'd heard very little about at all. It turns out UCSF is the system's medical school - more on that in a minute.
This page gives the official list of UC's ten main campuses, with some nice photos:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/campuses/welcome.
(Note to past self: should have applied to UC, could have gotten a lot more sun that I did at CWRU)
So I took their list, looked up the history department of each campus (starting out by just trying "history.ucwhatever.edu" as the URL, which works for most of them) and then finding their list of Spring 2012 courses on offer. Here are the history department pages for the nine UC liberal arts campuses, with notes on what American history courses they list running right now, Spring term of 2012. I've listed only conventional US history courses, skipping all the sorts that Santorum would surely dismiss as unAmerican, such as "Women in America", "Asian immigrants American experience", "Race in American history" and so on.
UC BERKELEY
History department: http://history.berkeley.edu/I quickly found these two American history courses running at UCB this term:
7A: The United States from Settlement to Civil War (T,Th 9:30-11)
7B: The United States from Civil War to Present (M,W,Th 9:30-noon)
UC DAVIS
History department: http://history.ucdavis.edu/"The Undergraduate program at UC Davis has 33 faculty members offering courses in five broad fields of concentration—Africa, Asia/Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the United States" (implying at least six or so full time professors of American history)
Spring 2012 UCD offerings include:
| History 17A – History of the United States | Professor Smolenksi |
|---|---|
| History 17B – History of the United States | Professor Rauchway |
|---|---|
The experience of the American people from the Civil War to the War on Terror | |
| History 170B – The American Revolution, 1763-1790 | Professor Smolenski |
|---|
| History 174A – The Gilded Age and Progressive Era | Professor Rauchway |
|---|
History 174B – War, Proesperity, and Depression, 1917-1945 Professor Olmsted
This course will explore the history of the United States during one of its most dynamic periods...
History 174D – Selected Themes in 20th Century American History Instructor Voyles
UC IRVINE
This is the first campus whose history department URL is other than "history.uc{campus}.edu":
History department: http://www.hnet.uci.edu/history/ History 40C: THE FORMATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY: THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ROSENBERG, E.
"This class surveys U.S. history in the twentieth century..."
History 100W: HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST - IGLER, D.
"This undergraduate writing course focuses thematically on the history of the American West during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries..."
"... the Pacific War, from both Japanese and Allied perspectives, particularly military strategy, the conduct of battles and the experiences of P.O.W.s"
History 190: US IN THE 1950'S - Weiner, J
"This course will explore the social, cultural and political history of that decade. Issues include McCarthyism, cold war foreign policy, gender roles, and popular culture..."
History 190 WAR AND MEMORY, 20TH CENTURY US - ROSENBERG, E
"This class deals with America’s 20th and 21st century wars in public memory—how they are represented in public culture (popular press, government propaganda, museum exhibits, literature, film, and television) and memorialized."
UCLA
History department: http://www.history.ucla.edu/
HIST 139B Waugh, Joan U.S., 1875 to 1900
HIST 141B Yeager, Mary A. American Economic History, 1910 to Present
HIST 142A Meranze, Michael Intellectual History of U.S.
HIST 142B Corey, Mary Intellectual History of U.S.
HIST 191D Gómez-Quiñones, Juan Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 191D-2 Matsumoto, Valerie Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 191D-3 Mukherji, S. Ani Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 191D-4 Corey, Mary Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 191D-5 Higbie, Frank Tobias Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 191D-6 Yeager, Mary A. Capstone Seminar: History -- U.S.
HIST 201H Gómez-Quiñones, Juan Topics in History: U.S.
HIST 201H-2 Higbie, Frank Tobias Topics in History: U.S.
HIST 201H-3 Matsumoto, Valerie Topics in History: U.S.
HIST 201H-4 Dubois, Ellen C. Topics in History: U.S.
HIST 201H-5 Kelley, Robin D. G. Topics in History: U.S.
UC MERCED
History department: http://history.ucmerced.edu/
HIST 016: Forging of the United States, 1607-1877 [4]
The history of the U.S. from colonial roots through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Major topics include the coming of the Revolution, the impact of slavery on the development of the United States, westward expansion, and the creation of a distinctively American culture.
Discussion included.
The history of the U.S. from colonial roots through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Major topics include the coming of the Revolution, the impact of slavery on the development of the United States, westward expansion, and the creation of a distinctively American culture.
Discussion included.
HIST 017: The Modern United States, 1877-Present [4]
The history of the United States from the Gilded Age through the early 21st century. Major topics include the impact of the Industrial Revolution on American life, the rise of the U.S. to a world power, the changing role of the federal government, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
Discussion included.
The history of the United States from the Gilded Age through the early 21st century. Major topics include the impact of the Industrial Revolution on American life, the rise of the U.S. to a world power, the changing role of the federal government, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
Discussion included.
HIST 020: History of the American West 1500 - 1849 [4]
An exploration of the idea of the west as it developed in the United States from Columbus to the advent of Gold Rush California. Emphasis will be upon the age of exploration and discovery, the notion of the frontier, and the impact of westward expansion upon the colonizer as well as the indigenous people of the west.
Discussion included.
An exploration of the idea of the west as it developed in the United States from Columbus to the advent of Gold Rush California. Emphasis will be upon the age of exploration and discovery, the notion of the frontier, and the impact of westward expansion upon the colonizer as well as the indigenous people of the west.
Discussion included.
HIST 021: History of the American West, 1850-2000 [4]
The history of the idea of the west in the United States from the aftermath of the California Gold Rush to the rise of the Silicon Valley. Emphasis is upon the various roles that technology and the modern notion of the frontier played in the settlement and exploitation of the west before and after the Civil War.
Prerequisite: HIST 020. Discussion included.
The history of the idea of the west in the United States from the aftermath of the California Gold Rush to the rise of the Silicon Valley. Emphasis is upon the various roles that technology and the modern notion of the frontier played in the settlement and exploitation of the west before and after the Civil War.
Prerequisite: HIST 020. Discussion included.
HIST 128: The United States and the Vietnam War [4]
Examines the roots and conduct of the war from the initial American involvement after World War II through the withdrawal of American troops in 1973. Additionally, students explore the way in which the war both reflected and amplified divisions within American society during this period.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 or HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
Examines the roots and conduct of the war from the initial American involvement after World War II through the withdrawal of American troops in 1973. Additionally, students explore the way in which the war both reflected and amplified divisions within American society during this period.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 or HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
HIST 130: The Cold War, 1941-1991 [4]
The political, cultural, and intellectual history of America’s confrontation with Communist at home and abroad, from U.S. entry into the Second World War to the collapse of the Soviet Union and its aftermath.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 and HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
The political, cultural, and intellectual history of America’s confrontation with Communist at home and abroad, from U.S. entry into the Second World War to the collapse of the Soviet Union and its aftermath.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 and HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
HIST 131: Topics in National History: "Manifest Destiny:" The United States and the World, 1840s-Present [4]
Beginning with the Mexican-American war and the conquest of the West, this seminar examines the way in which the U.S. has aggressively expanded its role on the world stage. Major themes include the impact of economics and religion and ongoing debates over globalization and imperialism.
Prerequisite: (HIST 010 and HIST 011) or (HIST 016 and HIST 017) and HIST 100 or consent of instructor. HIST 100 may be taken concurrently. May be repeated for credit.
Beginning with the Mexican-American war and the conquest of the West, this seminar examines the way in which the U.S. has aggressively expanded its role on the world stage. Major themes include the impact of economics and religion and ongoing debates over globalization and imperialism.
Prerequisite: (HIST 010 and HIST 011) or (HIST 016 and HIST 017) and HIST 100 or consent of instructor. HIST 100 may be taken concurrently. May be repeated for credit.
HIST 132: Intelligence and National Security, 1945-2000 [4]
Focuses upon the roles that intelligence and espionage have played in U.S. national security since 1945. A particular emphasis lies in those historical instances where technical intelligence had a part in resolving, or avoiding, major Cold War crises.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 and HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
Focuses upon the roles that intelligence and espionage have played in U.S. national security since 1945. A particular emphasis lies in those historical instances where technical intelligence had a part in resolving, or avoiding, major Cold War crises.
Prerequisite: HIST 016 and HIST 017 or consent of instructor.
HIST 134: History and Literature of the Great Depression [4]
Focusing on the turbulent decade of the 1930s, we use the lens of history and literature to explore how events from 1929 - 1941 helped shape modern America. Particular attention is paid to the impact of these years upon California and the West.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and LIT 020, LIT 021, HIST 016 or HIST 017. Letter grade only.
Focusing on the turbulent decade of the 1930s, we use the lens of history and literature to explore how events from 1929 - 1941 helped shape modern America. Particular attention is paid to the impact of these years upon California and the West.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and LIT 020, LIT 021, HIST 016 or HIST 017. Letter grade only.
HIST 135: History and Literature of the 1960s [4]
Examines American politics, culture, and society in the 1960s. Topics include civil rights, feminism, the Vietnam War, the Beat and other counterculture movements, and the sexual revolution.
Prerequisite: LIT 030, LIT 031, HIST 016 or HIST 017. Letter grade only.
Examines American politics, culture, and society in the 1960s. Topics include civil rights, feminism, the Vietnam War, the Beat and other counterculture movements, and the sexual revolution.
Prerequisite: LIT 030, LIT 031, HIST 016 or HIST 017. Letter grade only.
US RIVERSIDE
History department: http://history.ucr.edu/
Here is a PDF of UCR's catalog of American history courses, which includes among others:
HISA 110A. Colonial America (4)HISA 110B. Revolutionary America (4)
HISA 110C. The Early Republic: The United States, 1789-1848 (4)
HISA 113. Slavery and the Old South (4)
HISA 114. The American Civil War (4)
HISA 115. Reconstruction (4)
HISA 116. The United States, 1877-1914 (4)
HISA 117A. United States, 1914 to 1945 (4)
HISA 117B. United States, 1945 to the Present (4)
HISA 118. American Thought in the Twentieth Century (4)
HISA 120A. The Supreme Court and the Constitution (4)
HISA 120B. The Supreme Court and the Constitution II (4)
HISA 137. Frontier History of the United States (4)
HISA 164A. The United States and Latin America to 1930 (4)
HISA 164B. The United States and Latin America since 1930 (4)
UC SAN DIEGO
History department: http://history.ucsd.edu/
History course list for 2011-12 PDF, which lists among others:
HILD 2A – United States History - M. Hanna
HILD 2B – United States History - R. Klein
HILD 2C – United States History - M. Hendrickson
HIUS 141/ECON 159 - Economic History of the U.S. II - M. Hendrickson
HIUS 145 - From New Era to New Deal - M. Hendrickson
HIUS 150 - American Legal History to 1865 (+) - M. Parrish
HIUS 169/269 - Topics/American Leagn & Const. Hist. - M. Parrish ['legislation / Constitutional history']
HIUS 178/278 - The Atlantic World 1400-1800 (+) - M. Parrish
HIGR 265C - Historical Scholarship/American History - R. Plant
HIGR 267B - Research Seminar/U.S. History II - N. Shah
HITO 133 - War & Society/Second World War - F. Biess
HITO 168/268 - The U.S. and Germany 1890s-1960s - F. Biess & R. Plant
UC SANTA BARBARA
History department: http://www.history.ucsb.edu/
17C The American People (World War I to the Present) MW 12:00- 1:15 Dineen-Wimberly
17C The American People (World War I to the Present) TR 2:00-3:15 Yaqub
164IB American Immigration MW 12:30-1:45 Devoy
166B United States in the Twentieth Century (1930 to 1959) TR 9:30-10:45 Kalman
175A American Cultural History TR 2:00-3:15 HSSB 4020 Jacobson
201AM Advanced Historical Literature: America W 5:00-7:50pm Hämäläinen
292C Foundations of U.S. History, 1917 to Present W 1:00-3:50 O'Connor
UC SANTA CRUZ
History department: http://history.ucsc.edu/
HIS 10B - 01 Us Hist 1877-1977 TuTh 02:00PM - 03:45PM Lasar, M - enrolled: 170 avail. seats: 0
HIS 110B - 01 US Revolu:1740-1815 TuTh 04:00PM - 05:45PM O'Malley, G. enrolled: 117 avail.seats: 0
HIS 80Y - 01 WWII Mem U.S. Japan MWF 11:00AM - 12:10PM Yang-Murray,A.S.;Christy,A.S. enrolled: 285 avail. seats: 0
HIS 194Y - 01 Memory WWII US/Japan TuTh 12:00PM - 01:45PM Christy, A.S. enrolled: 24 avail. seats: 0
Okay, so all nine liberal arts campuses of UofC offer multiple courses on U.S. history every term. We can even see that at least at UCSC, these courses are all full this term.
Scorecard:
Reality: 9
Scorecard:
Reality: 9
Santorum: 0
Final reflection: even the med school, UCSF, has a History of Medicine department. Wonder if they teach history of American medicine? Yup. No surprise there, as the US has led the world in medical research for more than a century, and it is a U.S. university running the course, after all.
US SAN FRANCISCO (School of Medicine)
History of medicine program website: http://www.dahsm.medschool.ucsf.edu/history/courses.aspx
including:
HHS 219 Twentieth Century American Medicine (Bartz) (S)
HHS 297 Directed Reading : Individual Tutorials (W, S) --History of American Medicine
HHS 216 Psychiatry in the United States (Suran) (S)
So. There you have it - ten for ten.
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