A Global Approach to World History
by Andrew F. Smith

Fifteen years ago, few high school students elected to take world history courses. Since then many states and school districts have instituted requirements for world history. Teaching world history with a global perspective remains one of the most difficult challenges facing social studies. Undergraduate preparation in world history for future social studies teachers is weak or nonexistent in many colleges and universities. Whatever their background, every teacher must continue their own education as the world keeps changing and so does our understanding of world history. Consequently, many teachers find themselves assigned to teach world history courses without adequate preparation. Even with extensive knowledge and substantive understanding, teaching all of the major contributions of all the world’s civilizations is simply impossible. Hence, content must be included and excluded, but the best selection criteria for making this decision remains elusive. The American Forum for Global Education is delighted to focus this issue on the teaching of world history. This issue includes a conceptualization of world history by Ross Dunn, professor, San Diego State University, and an excellent list of resources prepared by Fred Czarra, international education consultant, Council for Chief State School Officers, and Heidi Rupp, president, the World History Association and Linda Brown, Int’l Baccalaureate Coordinator at the Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County, Maryland. We hope this issue will spark a constructive dialogue among global educators and those who teach world history.