Dominic refers us to an article appearing in the Washinton Post, Sunday, 
December 23, 2001, by George Will titled 

"Our National Memory Loss"

Will referred to Lynne Cheney (Mrs. VP-and an education advocate) 
comments on the woeful state of ignorance of students re American History, 
at even in the most prestigious colleges. (See excerpt or URL below).

Dominic commented: <<If our young people don't know the basic national 
history of the US, how can we expect them to know anything about ethnic 
or Italian American history????>>

To just lay the foundation, for a response, IMHO, I agree with Cheney and 
Will when they infer that, It is abysmal what passes for a college education 
today. Between "fluff" courses, "politically correct courses", and "wholesale" 
cheating it is not unexpected to see the graduates coming out relatively 
unscathed by the experience.  

But to respond to the gist of Dominic's remark.

First, it sounds too much like an EXCUSE not to advocate for Italian 
American Studies.

Second, At least American History is OFFERED, though it might not be 
REQUIRED. It's REALLY Tuff trying to take a Course that is NOT offered*, 
like Italian American History!!! (* with rare exception)

Third, Those same students that don't know "diddley" about American History 
are undoubtedly those same ones that are too busy taking courses regarding 
THEIR ETHNIC, RACIAL, HOLOCAUST, GENDER, INDIGENOUS 
PEOPLES, ALTERNATIVE LIFE STYLES etc.,  / STUDIES, and don't have 
time/inclination for what they erroneously view as "Old White American Guys" 
History. They ARE too busy Studying THEIR "More Personal" Histories! 

So, let me get this straight. We are NOT as many say, becoming more 
Americanized, but more "Fragmentized/Tribalized", while the Italian American 
Community stands around with their finger in their ear, caught in a "time warp",
where they are still buying into the concept of the "Homogenized/Assimilated" 
American, while there has been a 180 degree shift to the "Mosaic/ Stew" 
American Perspective. 

What are we giving our kids to "Identify" with? How do we make it possible 
to learn about THEIR I-A Culture. The Italian American Community is NOT 
adequately pressuring the Colleges and Universities to provide Italian 
American History Courses.

Yes, Frank Cannata reminds us that we have Chairs at UCONN, John Davis 
(Noether Chair in Modern Italian History), and at Seton Hall, William Connell 
(LaMotta Chair), and the D'Amato Chair at SUNY Stony Brook, with Professor 
Fred Gardaphe as Director of the Italian-American Institute. [Carlo 
Chiarenza (Graziedio Chair), at University of California Long Beach is 
considering incorporating I-A Studies].

I commend those responsible for those achievements, but they deserve  
more Vigorous support, from a more Involved and Determined I-A Community.
Until more members of NIAF, OSIA, UNICO Insist that "Italian American 
Studies" be given priority on their Agendas, progress will be at a snails pace.
Each Chapter, should be pressuring their National HQ !!!!!

Also, consider that OSIA, NIAF, UNICO Scholarship programs currently in 
place be modified to support ONLY those I-A students pursuing Italian 
American Studies!!!!!! Scholarships for mere General Studies are not the most 
efficacious expenditure of the Communities limited Resources. This topic 
deserves a revisit.
 
Lastly, "Cheney says..."Advancement in academia comes from publishing, 
and there is little market in academic journals for articles on subjects that 
are broadly conceived." Academic laurels go to authors of specialized articles, 
who prefer to teach specialized courses, so general education is slighted."

I have the similar impression that even where Italian Studies are written about, 
that the subject matter I-A Academicians are generally much too esoteric, or 
"niche".  

How can we expect our kids to know who they are, and from whence they 
came, if we don't provide the tools (the Courses), for them to find out!!!!!
=========================================================

Excerpt from Washington Post Article:

A 1999 survey of college seniors at 55 elite colleges, from Princeton to 
Stanford, revealed that only 22 percent knew that the words "government of 
the people, by the people, for the people" are from the Gettysburg Address. 
Forty percent could not place the Civil War in the second half of the 19th 
century. Only 44 percent could place Lincoln's presidency in the period 
1860-1880. 

Fifty-nine percent thought Reconstruction was about repairing the physical 
damage done by the Civil War. Twenty-five percent thought the pilgrims signed 
the Magna Carta on the Mayflower. Sixty-three percent did not know the Battle 
of the Bulge was in World War II. To the question of who commanded American 
forces at Yorktown, the most frequent answer was Ulysses S. Grant.

Such questions should not be difficult for high school seniors. But at the time 
of the survey, none of the 55 colleges and universities required a course in 
American history. And students could graduate from 78 percent of them without 
taking any history course.