美国国防部在其管理的160所军属学校中推出新课程，强调西方文明和基督教的教学[1]。这些学校分布在11个国家，共教育约70000名学生[1]。这一举措是国防部长Pete Hegseth推行爱国价值观和古典学习改革的一部分[1]。
新课程采用保守派出版社Encounter Books出版的教科书，题为《黄金线索：西方传统史，第一卷：古代世界与基督教界》[1]。Hegseth在其2022年著作《为美国心灵的战斗》中主张家长应选择古典基督教教育[1]。今年3月，国防部任命Paul Craft担任教育活动主任，替代Beth Schiavino-Narvaez[1]。Hegseth将Craft描述为"向爱国价值观和古典学习重新定向学校系统"的合适领导者[1]。
历史学家指出该教科书以误导的方式呈现西方文明和基督教，并将伊斯兰教描绘为威胁[1]。在中世纪章节中，教科书描述阿拉伯人对基督徒和犹太人"怀恨或苦涩"[1]。哈佛名誉教授James Hankins称该文本由15位专家进行了同行评审[1]。
The U.S. Department of Defense has launched a new curriculum across its school system serving military families, placing renewed emphasis on Western civilization and Christian heritage.[1] The initiative represents part of a broader reform by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to redirect schools toward patriotic values and classical education.[1]
The Department of Defense operates approximately 160 schools across 11 countries, educating roughly 70,000 students.[1] In March, the department replaced Beth Schiavino-Narvaez with Paul Craft as director of its education activities.[1] Hegseth described Craft as the appropriate leader to redirect the school system "toward patriotic values and classical learning."[1] The Defense Secretary has long advocated for classical Christian education, arguing in his 2022 book "The Battle for the Soul of America" that parents should pursue this educational approach.[1]
The new curriculum employs textbooks published by Encounter Books, a conservative publisher.[1] The primary text is titled "The Golden Thread: A Classical History of the Western Tradition, Volume One: The Ancient World and Christendom."[1] According to Harvard Professor Emeritus James Hankins, the text underwent peer review by 15 experts.[1] However, historians have raised concerns that the material presents Western civilization and Christianity in a misleading manner and depicts Islam as a threat.[1] The medieval chapter of the textbook describes Arabs as harboring "resentment or bitterness" toward Christians and Jews.[1]