What's happened
The Department of Defense Education Activity is expanding its program by introducing a Western civilization course tied to a newly published Encounter Books textbook. Critics say the approach links Western tradition with Christianity and Islam as a threat. The move comes as the DoD seeks to hire classical-learning teachers and realign academic leadership.
What's behind the headline?
Live, structured analysis
- The DoD is expanding its classical-learning push, signaling a strategic shift in military-adjacent education.
- Critics argue the text portrays Western civilization and Christianity as interchangeable and portrays Islam negatively, raising concerns about historical representation.
- The move aligns with broader political efforts to emphasize patriotism and traditional texts in schooling, potentially shaping long-term culture within DoD schools.
- Readers should track the program’s implementation across schools and watch for updates on teacher recruitment and curricular oversight.
How we got here
DoD Education Activity runs about 160 schools in 11 countries, serving roughly 70,000 students. The initiative mirrors a broader push by conservatives for patriotic education and classical learning, with Hillsdale College collaborations and a book by Encounter Books guiding the fall course.
Our analysis
AP News reports detail the course and criticism from historians like Phil Gorski and educators who review excerpts. The Independent similarly highlights the curricular partnership with Hillsdale College and the Encounter Books text, noting conservative framing and debates on inclusivity. Both sources describe the Pentagon’s limited comment window and the broader push toward patriotic education.
Go deeper
- What changes have DoD students already noticed in classrooms?
- Which universities or educators are contributing to the new curriculum?
- How will critics' concerns influence future revisions of the course?
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