Looking for an alternative to Ethnic Studies? Check out Our American Experience Curriculum
Looking for an alternative to Ethnic Studies? Check out Our American Experience Curriculum
What does it mean to be American?
…
How have different groups maintained their cultural heritage while becoming part of the American experience?
…
How have American ideals of liberty and equality been tested, expanded, and realized through contributions and struggles of diverse communities?
What does it mean to be American?
How have different groups maintained their cultural heritage while becoming part of the American experience?
How have American ideals of liberty and equality been tested, expanded, and realized through contributions and struggles of diverse communities?
Designed for grades 9-12, FAIR’s American Experience Curriculum (FAEC) is designed to address these fundamental questions.
A comprehensive social studies curriculum, the FAEC will guide students to examine how various groups have shaped—and been shaped by—their participation in American society, creating a dynamic national identity that continues to evolve.
Students will learn and explore the rich tapestry of American heritage and identity through FAEC’s highlights of the tensions between unity and diversity, the evolution of concepts of race and ethnicity, and the ongoing struggle to fulfill America’s founding principles.
Designed for grades 9-12, FAIR’s American Experience Curriculum (FAEC) is designed to address these fundamental questions.
A comprehensive social studies curriculum, the FAEC will guide students to examine how various groups have shaped—and been shaped by—their participation in American society, creating a dynamic national identity that continues to evolve.
Students will learn and explore the rich tapestry of American heritage and identity through FAEC’s highlights of the tensions between unity and diversity, the evolution of concepts of race and ethnicity, and the ongoing struggle to fulfill America’s founding principles.
The FAEC's pro-human approach helps students understand foundational principles that unite Americans while appreciating cultural contributions diverse groups have made to our national identity. Under the curriculum, students will learn to apply critical thinking skills and engage in civil discourse to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be American in a pluralistic society.
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to:
Establishes the philosophical and legal foundations of American society, examines America’s founding documents, and analyzes how concepts of identity and equality have evolved over time. These units equip students with an analytical framework to understand the experiences of diverse groups and how they have been challenges and enabled by foundational principles.
Students examine:
Students explore the experiences and challenges different ethnic groups have experienced, and discuss and consider multiple perspectives on historical events. Regular formative assessments, including document analyses, comparative essays, and creative projects, help students process and apply their learning and skills.
Students examine:
In this final segment, students synthesize their learning and apply it to contemporary questions about American identity and pluralism through:
The Capstone empowers students to meaningfully connect their learning to civic participation and their own identities within the American story.
FAECC encourages students to engage with primary sources, multiple perspectives, and thoughtful discussion. Each unit includes:
Professional development workshops are available to help teachers implement this curriculum effectively, focusing on facilitating productive discussions around complex topics.
Associate Professor of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University and a co- founder and co-director (with Dr. Stephanie Shonekan) of the Race and the American Story Project
Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and an Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Served as Codirector of Moral Foundations of Education at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture
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