Topic: Eastern history missing in U.S. education Posted By: Michael Malloy Date: 06 Jun 1998 9:31 PM
The PBS series "Face of Russia" is much appreciated. The U.S.
education system ignores anything eastern, or for that matter virtually
anything non-European! For once WOSU's (Columbus, Ohio) re-arrangement
of the PBS schedule has worked in favor of those who have not seen
promotion of the series at all.
Responses:
Subject: Eastern history missing in U.S. Education From:MIchael Malloy Date: 06 Jun 1998 10:52 PM
Please forgive my confusion regarding how the forum posts are made.Many
people raised and educated in the U.S. end up knowing very little about
countries outside western Europe. I've always loved history and
culture but for me the world stoped at eastern Europe in grade school
and for the most part also in college. For example, my degree is in
music history but I find almost nothing about Slavic cultures in
general. Russian (and Ukrainian) topics are omitted from the standard
texts, except for perhaps the most recent hundred years or so. Examine
any college level text of music history and you will see what I mean.
Texts usually begin with a page or two about ancient Greek music, then
jump directly to Gregorian chant. One of the best known texts is "A
History of Western Music" (Grout). Where is the corresponding "History
of Eastern Music?"The western approach to a history time line explains
very nicely how all western art music (and the current pop music) grew
out of church music. The vocabularies have a common ancestor. In most
universities one can find a music library well stocked with Western art
music (Beethoven, etc.). Libraries have almost nothing available to
meet the needs of those looking for pre nineteenth century Russian
music. Fortunately now that the iron curtain has fallen away, research
can begin. The best work in the area of Russian Church music
publication at the scholarly level now is being done by Vladimir
Morosan at Musica Russica. He is producing the Russian music history
research tools for the next generation.
Subject: U.S. and eastern European History From: Mapk Date: 12 Dec 2000 11:48 AM
I am currently studying Russian History in college, My Instructor and
I were discussing the lack of eastern European history that is taught
in U.S. schools. (very sad) Russia has such a rich and interesting
history / culture. By studying their history you can defiantly see
patterns immerging and have some insight into the current political
situation. My question is does the way Russia developed have anything
to do with the lack of teaching in the U.S. what I mean is western
Europe and Russia developed separately (due to the tartars) Russia
missed the resonance and the industrial revolution came later. The
society was also very closed even under the Romanovs and especially
under the Communists.
Subject: Rassia From:Veronika Date: 09 Sep 2001 11:03 PM
I'm Russian.My husband is American. It's terrible that the most of
Americans don't know Russian history.And what is the most humiliating
for me is that Americans ignore the role of Russia(the USSR)in the
WWII.Some of you just know how many people we lost in this war(25
million).But what about the fact that Russians liberated not only our
land but Czechoslovakia,Poland,Bulgaria,Austria,we entered Germany.And
it was the red flag of the USSR that was raised over German Parliament
in Berlin.The USSR did all the job.Why the allies didn't help France in
1940? When the USSR needed the help of allies, they preferred to stay
apart. And when the deal was almost over they suddenly appear on the
stage just for signing in the World history.OK, they helped us and
thank them,but I don't want anybody to forget the role of my country
and the glory of its soldiers.I will always remember the words of my
grandfather "There is nothing worse than the war".He became soldier in
1941 and he was in Berlin in 1945 when the war ended.I just want
everything to be fair. And if the American channel takes the job of
filming the history,please do it without being subjective.I have seen
your films before .They are well done.But who will like the film that
shows the history in favor of one country at the expense of another?
Subject: People of Russia From: Wburtonsr Date: 09 Sep 1998 10:24 AM
I would really enjoy speaking to the Russian peoplePlease tell me how
to communicate with real people.Thankyou and have a good day.
Subject: Allied troops in the Russian civil war From: Till Date: 11 Nov 1998 8:56 PM
Hi,I'm looking for information on Allied troops and their actions in
the Russian civil war. I haven't found anything so far about it, I
really appreciate everyone's help!Thanks... Till
Subject: War Plans of Russia during WWI From:Phillip Reynolds Date: 11 Nov 1998 5:11 PM
What are the names of the War Plans of Russia during WWI? I know they
had some. Their plans were the only ones that made sense during WWI.
If anybody knows, tell me.
Subject: Learning.......slowly From:Dave Date: 06 Jun 2002 9:53 PM
I have been learning as much as possible for the past couple of years
about my Russian and Belorussian friends. I enjoy so very much the
culture, customs, music, and just the very best people I have had the
great fortune to know in a very long time.One of them is even
translating my novel and a short story into Russian for my website.I am
learning as much Russian as my mind will allow so that my happiest day
will be when I go to see my friends! Go to my site my American friends
and read of the Brest Fortress and the memorial located there. Imagine
the Alamo multiplied by very large number..... I can't believe we
weren't taught of such things in school! All I can say is that I spend
some time of each and every day trying to rectify my terribly
provincial education.
Subject: History & Education From: K.Kappel Date: 11 Nov 2002 12:42 PM
No more then most countries address the history issues of any other
country. How much do you really know about American history, and from
who's/what countries point of view do you see it from?Our television is
free enterprise, they show what sells, and details that won't be that
interesting to their audience is not going to be the focus of any
television program that needs funding.American education doesn't even
focus on it's own local history as much as it does history of country &
England, so, while you may think we aren't educated satisfactorily in
your culture, the same falls true of our own. Does any one really care?
Those that it does, go seek out that information, to those that it
doesn't matter, teaching it isn't going to make any difference in the
life of someone who doesn't want to know.
