EDC Approves New
Military History Course
A new course in United States military history could soon be running at Huntington High School after the district’s Educational Development Committee signed off on it.
The one-semester, half-credit social studies course would be open to juniors and seniors who have completed Global II Regents. The annual enrollment is estimated at 25 students.
According to an accompanying memorandum to the new course proposal, the reason for the course is “to give students a better and more in-depth understanding and appreciation of the United States military. This course will enable students to understand the purpose of the military and why it is a necessary component of our country and our way of life. The four major branches of the military will be explored: Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Students will touch on the origins and purposes of each branch. The students will explore the individual leadership and exploits of each service. This will include significant battles and humanitarian relief operations for each of the four military services.”
The estimated cost of books and materials for the course is pegged at $500, which the district would cover through the department’s budget. No new additional staff is required.
The new course will utilize filmed interviews with service members, excerpts from books and periodicals, thesis based classroom discussions and possible field trips. The course seeks to provide students with an “in-depth understanding of the purpose of the service in a combat setting. Students will be able to explore the triumphs and failures of each of the services and analyze the reasons for these outcomes.”
There will also be a look into the military’s humanitarian responses to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and in such places as Somalia, Haiti and Bosnia.
According to the accompanying new course proposal memo, the learning objectives include:
• Students will learn critical thinking, essay writing, active listening and note taking from lectures and reading comprehension.
• Students will learn to identify significant historical events and trends and developing narrative, analytical and interpretive writing skills.
• Students will learn the narrative of U.S. military history and the impact of events, technology, national policy, individuals, social trends and other factors on U.S. military affairs.
Students will be assessed based upon participation in class discussions, individual and group presentations and research and position papers.
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