“There’s a school of thought that high school history should really just focus on celebratory aspects of a culture and avoid the traumatic, head-on confrontations,” said Michael Felix, a College of the Canyons History Professor.
If you’re looking for a course that showcases less-talked-about American history, then this course is for you.
“So we have built into the curriculum a very rich blend of not only historical content from the past, but also current events that are happening in real time,” said Felix.
History 230, ‘native Americans in the History of the U.S.,’ will offer a new, online option for students looking to fill their social science credits.
“If you want to learn about history from a different perspective and learn about different people that you don’t usually hear about in your U.S. History textbooks, take this native american class,” said Anthony Galvan, a College of the Canyons Adjunct Professor.
Last week, Professor Michael Felix hosted a preview lecture of the course’s content. In May, Professor Anthony Galvan will be following suit. Anyone interested can attend in person or through Zoom, though the material covers topics that some students may find uncomfortable.
“When you take United States history, you don’t always get to cover some of the topics that we’ll be covering in this class, like the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee,” said Galvan.
With enough interest, the class may be offered in person come spring, but the professors hope that more students walk away from the course with a new perspective.
“The opportunities that we’re given are a privilege, especially in any situation you look at,” said Isabella Alvarez, a College of the Canyons student.
“That can be in political science, that can be in immigration work, and it can also be in understanding native American culture and history.
