2008 Woodie Awards
Study shows college students lack basic history skills
Casey Tilton
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
According to a recent study by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, American college students are not spending enough time hitting the history books.
College seniors scored an average of 54.2 percent on a civic literacy test administered by the ISI. The test was comprised of 60 questions ranging from American history to international relations. Freshmen scored an average of 50.4 percent on the same test, according to the ISI's Web site.
History professor John Bernstein said he was not surprised by the results of the study and sees similar results in the introductory history courses he teaches.
"I'm amazed at how much students don't know in my modern European history survey," Bernstein said.
He said the lack of knowledge and interest may be due to the notion that history is not relevant to students' job prospects.
Louis Hirsh, director of admissions at the university, stated in an e-mail message the College of Arts and Sciences requires students to take nine credits that focus on the study of culture and institutions over time. Many of the courses are from the history department, but some classes from departments such as anthropology and art history also count for the breadth requirement, Hirsh said.
He said incoming students must have completed four years of social studies in high school, including two history courses.
"I have not heard of any plans to increase the amount of history that we require of students for admission or graduation," Hirsh said.
History professor Lawrence Duggan said he was surprised by the results of the survey. The poor secondary education many students get is partially to blame for the widespread ignorance about history, he said.
"Appreciation for the past isn't something young people grapple with easily," Duggan said. "It's an acquired taste."
Bernstein said although the university has no immediate plans to increase the amount of history courses required for admissions or graduation, there are ways to increase the emphasis on history at the university.
College seniors scored an average of 54.2 percent on a civic literacy test administered by the ISI. The test was comprised of 60 questions ranging from American history to international relations. Freshmen scored an average of 50.4 percent on the same test, according to the ISI's Web site.
History professor John Bernstein said he was not surprised by the results of the study and sees similar results in the introductory history courses he teaches.
"I'm amazed at how much students don't know in my modern European history survey," Bernstein said.
He said the lack of knowledge and interest may be due to the notion that history is not relevant to students' job prospects.
Louis Hirsh, director of admissions at the university, stated in an e-mail message the College of Arts and Sciences requires students to take nine credits that focus on the study of culture and institutions over time. Many of the courses are from the history department, but some classes from departments such as anthropology and art history also count for the breadth requirement, Hirsh said.
He said incoming students must have completed four years of social studies in high school, including two history courses.
"I have not heard of any plans to increase the amount of history that we require of students for admission or graduation," Hirsh said.
History professor Lawrence Duggan said he was surprised by the results of the survey. The poor secondary education many students get is partially to blame for the widespread ignorance about history, he said.
"Appreciation for the past isn't something young people grapple with easily," Duggan said. "It's an acquired taste."
Bernstein said although the university has no immediate plans to increase the amount of history courses required for admissions or graduation, there are ways to increase the emphasis on history at the university.
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