Teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course, 1918--2000: Objectives as stated in periodical literature

Purpose of the study. The major purpose of this study was to identify and classify objectives for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course in American higher education during the period 1918--2000. These objectives were identified by objective statements in articles from selected professional periodicals.; Procedure. The 1918--2000 period was divided into nine subperiods on the basis of major historical events. Selected professional periodicals were searched for statements of objectives for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course. These statements were catalogued into Knowledge, Process, Attitude and Interest and Cultural Awareness categories. Statements were further catalogued into twelve objective types. The resulting data were classified within and across subperiods according to frequency of occurrence, category, authorship and year.; Findings. The major findings of this investigation included the following: (1) Four-Year College/University authors produced the most articles and statements and exceeded the sum of articles and statements contributed by the other authorship groups. (2) Statements in the Knowledge category were most frequent in eight of the nine subperiods. (3) Statements in the Cultural Awareness category were least frequent in every subperiod. (4) Seven of the twelve objective types achieved "most important" objective status in one or more subperiods. (5) Only the objective type Major facts, principles or fundamentals satisfied the "most important" objective criteria in every subperiod.; Conclusions. Based on the findings of this investigation. The following conclusions were made: (1) Objectives for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course were influenced by American foreign policy. (2) Objectives for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course reflected prevailing American higher education thoughts and practices throughout the study. (3) Objectives for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course were modestly influenced by American historiography in selected subperiods. (4) Four-Year College/University authors were leaders in curriculum and instructional design for the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course throughout the study. (5) The "most important" objective type for teaching the collegiate History of Western Civilization survey course was Major facts, principles or fundamentals.