Teaching a “world history” course that covers thousands of years and many countries is no small task. 

What to include and exclude in these courses often becomes a source of contention, with politicians, teachers, historians, and policy-makers all hoping to influence the story being told and inspire a new generation of Americans. 

Historians and others on the left have called for World History to become increasingly global, and for instructors to focus on less-discussed regions, like Africa or China, in addition to Europe. They often see history as an opportunity to include diverse narratives and analyze the experiences of marginalized groups. 

On the other hand, conservatives tend to see history as a way to celebrate America’s achievements and promote its founding principles. With this idea, a World History course should emphasize areas and ideas most connected to our nation’s foundation. 

It is in this complex context that Idaho recently announced a new elective history course for high schoolers entitled “Foundations of Western Civilization,” which will center on foundational historical events in Europe connected to America’s founding, such as democracy in Ancient Greece and Rome, and the Scientific Revolution in Europe. The course asks students to “explain how Western civilization is distinct from other cultures and civilizations” and focuses almost exclusively on Europe. 

The course has been approved by the Idaho Department of Education (IDE) and awaits approval from the Legislature during the upcoming session. The new course is proposed as part of a larger social studies curriculum review, which began in 2023. All of the social studies curriculum adjustments await approval by the Legislature.

Only a few states offer classes focused on Western civilization. This would be an elective course, which schools could choose to offer along with their required history courses. If approved, the Foundations of Western Civilization course will be available at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year in districts that choose to offer it. 

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield stated in a recent press release that the class aims to give students “the tools to fully appreciate and participate in the exceptional American experience.” 

This type of historical understanding is reinforced by legislative actions like 2024’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 116, which calls for history courses that “align with our Idaho values of embracing patriotism and pride about the success of this great country.” 

In a statement to EdNews, IDE Chief of Staff Greg Wilson cited this resolution, as well as 2025 bill HB 397– which asks for “western civilization” questions to be included in Idaho’s new civics test — as partial inspiration for development of the course. 

This push in Idaho reflects a broader trend in national politics. Just last year, President Trump issued Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This executive order took issue with a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth.”

The Trump Administration followed this order this past August by sending a letter to Smithsonian Museum secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, explaining they would be completing a comprehensive review of museum history materials, seeking to ensure they “celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared institutions.” 

With history courses wrapped up in politics, museum administrators and social studies teachers can be left with the gargantuan task of forming exhibits and lesson plans that teach students about the nation’s past while remaining “unbiased.” 

The proposed Foundations of Western Civilization course reflects the persistent challenge of defining the purpose of history education, and whether courses should prioritize content connected to American civic origins or broad, global cultural studies.