NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE (Vol. 12, #40; 19 October 2006)
2. REPORT GIVES FAILING GRADES FOR COLLEGES TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC LITERACY
3. MAJOR REVAMPING OF UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM PROPOSED AT HARVARD – RELIGION AND AMERICAN HISTORY COULD BECOME REQUIRED SUBJECTS
4. STATE DEPARTMENT HISTORY OFFICE ISSUES FRUS EDITION ON CHINA
5. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TO CONSOLIDATE AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN READING ROOMS
6. HIGHER EDUCATION ACT EXTENDED – YET AGAIN
7. NEW PUBLIC LAWS: LINCOLN COIN ACT; NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS
8. BITS AND BYTES: Battlefield Grants; Call for Nominations – John Wesley Powell Prize; IMLS Grants
9. ARTICLES OF INTEREST: “Infringement Is Everywhere: Congress Addresses 'Orphaned Works'” (Law.com)
1. BOMAR CONFIRMED AS PARK SERVICE DIRECTOR The Senate has confirmed Mary Bomar as the new Director of the National Park Service (NPS). Bomar replaces Fran Mainella, who announced her resignation in July, 2005. Bomar was one of four Interior Department officials who were confirmed at the end of September, right before the Senate went into recess.
Bomar was born in England and became a U.S. citizen in 1977. She is a career employee with the Department of the Interior, having spent seventeen years with the National Park Service. Bomar served as acting superintendent at Rocky Mountain National Park and as superintendent at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Since July 2005, she has been Northeast Regional Director.
Like several of her predecessors, Bomar brings to the position considerable knowledge and experience in managing historic sites. During her tenure as superintendent at Independence National Historical Park (NHP) in Philadelphia – considered the “premier” historic site in the Park Service – from 2003-05, Bomar brought to completion multiple construction projects. Independence NHP was an important if not the central component of a $5 million rehabilitation of Independence Square. As part of a massive revitalization project, the NPS's Liberty Bell Center and the nearby private National Constitution Center both opened to the public. The Second Bank of the United States was also rehabilitated and a new exhibit entitled the “People of Independence” opened.
On behalf of the Policy Board of the National Coalition for History, we wish Mary Bomar well in all her future activities as head of the NPS.
2. REPORT GIVES FAILING GRADES FOR COLLEGES TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY AND CIVIC LITERACY The Intercollegiate Studies Institute – a nonprofit educational organization that seeks to “convey to successive generations of college youth a better understanding of the values and institutions that sustain a free and virtuous society” – reported last week that many colleges and universities in the U.S. are failing to teach students history and civics.
The public policy department at the University of Connecticut executed the survey on behalf of the institute. Students were asked to answer sixty multiple-choice questions covering topics from history to political science and economics. The questionnaire was distributed to 14,000 seniors and freshman at over fifty colleges and universities. The resulting report titled, “The Coming Crisis in Citizenship: Higher Education’s Failure to Teach America’s History and Institutions,” found that students stumbled over questions about the American Revolution, federalism, and the Monroe Doctrine, and otherwise demonstrated an overall lack of knowledge about the most basic facts and concepts relating to American history.
On average, seniors scored only marginally higher than freshman and in some cases they actually scored lower. Based on the results, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute recommended that schools increase the number of classes offered in history and political science.
Some education experts question whether or not a survey of facts is the best way to test civic and historical knowledge. Debra Humphreys, a spokesman for the Association of American Colleges and Universities, believes that students need to use facts in a practical setting in order to truly assess knowledge and understanding. According to Humphreys, more classes are not the solution. Instead, schools should force students to “employ facts in an integrated framework of theoretical learning and civic engagement.”
For the ISI’s link to the report go to: http://wwww.isi.org or go to http://www.americancivicliteracy.org .
3. MAJOR REVAMPING OF UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM PROPOSED AT HARVARD – RELIGION AND AMERICAN HISTORY COULD BECOME REQUIRED SUBJECTS Although Harvard University has been reworking its core curriculum for several years, it may have finally settled on what some consider a viable and satisfactory plan. A panel, made up of six professors and two students released a proposal that recommends broad changes to the university’s undergraduate curriculum. The changes would offer students a less specialized curriculum and a more traditional form of general education.
The panel recommended that Harvard students take at least one course from several broad subject categories. These categories would include “reason and faith,” “cultural traditions and cultural change,” “the United States: historical and global perspectives,” as well as “life science” and “physical science,” among others. The proposed courses are not to be introductions according to the panel’s report, but “exposures to major arenas of change and influence in the 21st century.” The recommendations embody the belief that “general education should not be a form of pre-professional training.” According to Louis Menand, a co-chairman of the panel and professor of English, American language and literature at Harvard, this new core curriculum would provide a way for students to “prepare themselves to be ethical citizens for democracy and a global society.”
4. STATE DEPARTMENT HISTORY OFFICE ISSUES FRUS EDITION ON CHINA The United States Department of State History Office recently released the latest volume in the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS), 1969-1976 series. Volume XVII focuses on diplomatic efforts with China between 1969 and 1972.
This volume details the efforts of President Richard Nixon and his National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to open a dialogue with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It also documents the complex diplomatic relationship between the U.S., the PRC, and the Republic of China. Relations with PRC were expanded under the Carter administration, in large part due to overtures made by the Nixon administration. There also is a small amount of information on America’s relationship with Mongolia and Tibet.
Unlike the recent Japan FRUS release (see “Controversial Japan FRUS Volume Released” in NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE; Vol 12, #33; 24 August 2006), this volume contains no disclaimer in terms of the editorial methodology or declassification review. For the China volume, the declassification review began in 1999 and was completed in 2005. Five documents were withheld in full; a paragraph or two was excised in two documents; and “minor excisions” of less than a paragraph were made in 39 other documents. In spite of these excisions, “The Office of the Historian is confident...that the documentation presented here provides an accurate account of the Nixon administration’s policy toward China from 1969 to 1972.”
The FRUS series presents the historical record of foreign policy decisions and activities of the U.S. government. By law, these books are to be a “reliable record of major United States foreign policy decisions and significant United States diplomatic activity.”
For more information and excerpts from the latest edition on China, visit the State Department website at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/frus/nixon/e13/index.htm
5. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TO CONSOLIDATE AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN READING ROOMS The National Coalition for History has learned that the Library of Congress plans to close the African and Middle Eastern Reading Room (AMED) effective December 2006. It will be closed until at least 2008, after which, according to a LC spokesperson, its “status is unknown.” A permanent exhibition gallery of the Jay I. Kislak Collection of early Americana is slotted to replace the AMED Reading Room.
The AMED Reading Room is the contact point for research being conducted on Africa, the Near East, Jewish and Biblical studies, ancient and modern Israel, and pre-Islamic Egypt. Typically, materials written in the vernacular of these areas are accessed through the AMED Reading Room.
The Library of Congress plans to combine the AMED Reading Room, including its Africa-related reference service, to a reading room shared with the European Division (ED). However, as both rooms contain over 20,000 volumes of reference collections, including dictionaries, handbooks, and bibliographic tools, critics of the LC proposed action assert that both collections will need to be cut in half. Dr. Mary Jane Deeb, director of the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress, believes she may be able to find space to accommodate a separate AMED Reading Room.
Needless to say, the proposed closure is of concern, especially to historians of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Some allege that deleting or concealing “Africa” from among the LC’s public service points “insults or denigrates Africa.” Others are merely amazed that the LC would constrain public reference support for African research at a time when public interest in the continent is at a peak. According to one insider “It goes without saying that cuts in reference collections on Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, and Palestine make absolutely no sense during this time of national awareness, involvement, and sacrifice.”
6. HIGHER EDUCATION ACT EXTENDED – YET AGAIN Congress passed a third extension of the Higher Education Act of 1965 shortly before it recessed. The House bill (H.R. 6138), that was also agreed to by the Senate, extends the programs under the Higher Education Act until 30 June 2007.
The Higher Education Bill provides the authorization for programs including Pell Grants and Perkins student loans that collectively help millions of students to attend college. In addition to continuing certain programs, H.R. 6138 includes a few additional provisions. Institutions of higher education that serve the Hispanic community will not have to wait two years between grant applications. The bill also provides loan forgiveness to spouses or parents of those killed in the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001.
Several historical organizations, including the National Coalition for History, are closely monitoring developments as Congress begins to consider amendments to the Higher Education Act. Among the proposed provisions is the establishment of a special history grant program that would provide funds to institutions of higher education to encourage the teaching of history at colleges and universities.
7. NEW PUBLIC LAWS: LINCOLN COIN ACT; NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS As often happens as a session of Congress comes to a close, in anticipation of pending adjournment, lawmakers have stepped up action on non-controversial bills. Here are two that recently became public law.
The Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act (P.L. 109-285) was signed into law on 27 September 2006. This law directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. These coins should be representative of Lincoln’s life and legacy. The Treasury can only mint up to 500,000 of the one-dollar coins and they are to be distributed for only one year, beginning 1 January 2009. Representative Ray LaHood of Illinois introduced P.L. 109-285 in the House back in June of 2005.
The National Heritage Areas Act of 2006 passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Bush on 12 October 2006 (P.L. # pending). Senator Thomas (R-WY) introduced this bill (S. 203) in January 2005. The Act establishes ten new National Heritage Areas. These areas include the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership. The remaining sections of the Act allow for studies to be conducted at specific locations throughout the United States to determine their eligibility for status as National Heritage Areas.
Unfortunately, Congress has yet to move on related proposed legislation, the "National Heritage Areas Partnership Act" (H.R. 760 / S. 243), bills that formally recognizes the national heritage areas program and sets parameters for studies, technical assistance, and reporting.
8. BITS AND BYTES Item #1 – Battlefield Grants: Grant applications are now being sought by the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) for battlefield preservation, protection, planning, interpretation, education and tourism. These grants are reserved for non-profit groups, community groups, and local, regional, and state officials. The deadline for grant applications is 12 January 2007. For more information, please contact Grants Manager Kristen Stevens at (202) 354-2037 or visit the website of the ABPP: www.cr.nps/gov/abpp.
Item #2 – Call for Nominations – John Wesley Powell Prize: The Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG) invites applications for its John Wesley Powell Prize for historic display. The purpose of all society awards is to recognize and encourage excellence in the study of the history of the federal government, as well as to increase appreciation of both the history itself and also the efforts of those who, through a variety of methods and media, explore that history. Federal agencies and those carrying out work on behalf of the federal government may apply. Entries should be for achievements in calendar years 2005--2006 and must be submitted by November 15th. For a more detailed explanation of the award, criteria for selection, and application procedures, please visit the society's award website at: http://www.shfg.org/tawards.html .
Item #3 -- IMLS Grants: “Museums for America” is the Institute’s largest grant program for museums, providing more than $17 million in grants to support the role of museums in American society in sustaining cultural heritage; to support lifelong learning; and to be centers of community engagement. Museums for America grants strengthen a museum’s ability to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institution’s mission and strategic goals. For information about the program go to: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/forAmerica.shtm
9. ARTICLES OF INTEREST One article this week....In “ Infringement Is Everywhere: Congress Addresses 'Orphaned Works'” Law.com, 9/28/2006 the problem of "orphan works" is discussed. Recently, Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas introduced the Orphan Works Act of 2006 into the House of Representatives in May. The bill, H.R. 5439, proposes an amendment to the Copyright Act that would lessen the monetary penalties facing a good-faith user should the copyright owner eventually appear and make a claim. For the article, go to: http://www.law.com/ .