EDUA 5233 Teaching American Colonial History
TEACHING AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY
The arrival of the early colonists in North America set the stage for the rise of a nation built upon the ideals of freedom, independence, and liberty. This is the story of dominance, pride, ambition, and risk. This is also a story of those who would fight to preserve their way of life and of those who would fight to create a new path. In this course, the teacher will examine the interactions of diverse cultures and peoples in building the foundations of what would become the United States of America.
In this course, the teacher will build on the traditional narratives of early colonial history by examining the contributions of Native Americans, women, Africans, and the foreign colonial powers that challenged English dominance in the New World. The teacher will learn about the events surrounding cultural conflict and exchange of crops, animals, and human beings. The teacher will expand his or her historical understanding by analyzing archeological evidence to enhance understanding of this early period and the players of the time, such as Pocahontas and founders of the Jamestown settlement. By the end of the course, the teacher will be equipped to teach the true nature of America’s diverse colonial period.