Changes to the California State University’s U.S. History
curriculum could mean students trying to transfer into the college
system will not get credit for the courses they take at community
college.
GILROY – Changes to the California State University’s U.S. History curriculum could mean students trying to transfer into the college system will not get credit for the courses they take at community college.
Gavilan College trustees approved modifications to two basic U.S. History courses in the hope of ensuring local students access to the state’s largest university system. If the course changes are not accepted by CSU, students taking History 1 and History 2 in fall 2003 would not receive transferable credit.
“We have addressed all the criticisms, but we don’t know yet if it will be accepted,” Gavilan history professor Enrique Luna said.
Luna said an existing agreement between CSU and Gavilan ensures students currently taking History 1 and 2 will receive transfer credit. Last spring, however, Gavilan was informed by the CSU curriculum committee that its courses would no longer be useable for transfer credit in fall 2003.
“This is part of a periodic review by CSU. Essentially, they’re saying, ‘We’ve changed our requirements, now you must change yours,'” Vice President of Instructional Services Marty Johnson said.
Johnson presented the changes to the Gavilan school board at its regular meeting last week. Trustees approved the plan unanimously.
A key difference between existing history courses and ones that will be taught next school year will be the emphasis on California history and the state Constitution, Luna said.
“The state is trying to create a larger pool of elementary school teachers and they want colleges to help out with that,” Luna said.
Among other credentialing requirements, California teachers must take courses in basic U.S. history.
“We do have a California history course all on its own,” Luna said.
At Gavilan, U.S. History 1 covers developments from the time before European contact with the Americas through Reconstruction – the process of reorganizing the Southern states after the Civil War.
U.S. History 2 covers the period from Reconstruction through the present.
