Reactions
from the
United States of America
Illinois
School: Evanston Township High Evanston
Contact: Dfutransky@aol.com
Date: 3-25-2001
The textbook we use for our 9th grade Humanities class, World History: Peoples and Nations published by Holt Rinehart and Winston does discuss Mercator, Vesalius, Brueghel, Rubens and Van Eyck. We do a project in my classroom with the artists and with a biology teacher I do a project on the scientists. I will forward some of the material in the next week or so. I can also talk to the 12th grade teachers and see what they do.
David Futransky
History/Social Science Teacher
Evanston Township High School
Evanston, Illinois
USA
School: Dwight D. Eisenhower High Blue Island
Contact: NJACK18@aol.com
Date: 3-27-2001
Mercator, Andreas Vesalius, Pieter Breughel, Pieter Paul Rubens Jan Van Eyck
The above named individuals are included in our history text, World History: Patterns of Interaction published by Mc Dougal-Littell. I hope this is of some help to you. Steve B. Phillips D.D. Eisenhower-Blue Island, IL
School: William Fremd High Palatine
Contact: mneiweem@d211.org
Date: 4-03-2001
Although some Flemish/Dutch personalities are covered in our World History classes, they are covered in a brief and superficial manner. Mostly scientists/artists are mentioned, especially in conjunction with major eras of history (Renaissance, Reformation, etc.) This material may be supplemented by individual instructors who wish to provide students with more detailed illustrations, but it is not a required aspect of our curriculum. The text they use is World History; Connections to Today, Prentice Hall. I have scanned a representative sample so that you might assess the degree of coverage.
Good luck with your project.
School: Bloomington High Bloomington
Contact: williamsond@district87.org
Date: 4-03-2001
The only names on this list that are mentioned in our classes at Bloomington High School are Mercator and Van Eyck. Both are covered briefly, Mercator a bit more than Van Eyck. We have no scanning capabilities at the moment. Hope this helps.
Doug Williamson Blomington High School
School: Joliet Township High Schools Joliet
Contact: JCLARK@jths.org
Date: 4-4-2001
In our world history textbooks the following informations appears about the requested Flemish personalities:
For Andreas Vesalius there is one paragraph in the Honors world history textbook in regards to Vesalius's insistence that all medical students should complete vivasections and stop relying on the works of the ancient Greek anatomist Galen, whose works were flawed because he dissected and described the anatomy of monkeys and not human beings. The "A" level textbook describes the same thing only it uses four paragraphs to explain it.
For Mercator the "A" level text makes no mention of this man, but the Honors text contains a full description of the Mercator map projection, not much about Mercator himself except when he published this map.
For Breughel their is about a paragraph description in both texts but the honors text has two of Breughel's paintings as examples of his style of art in the Northern Renaissance era.
Also you asked:
"We would like to know from you whether these, or part of these, persons appear in your history books or manuals. If this were the case, we would appreciate receiving a scan of the relevant page and cover page of the book through email. If possible, we would also like to find out whether these persons are looked at in a brief or extensive manner or not at all and in what way you deal with Flanders."
Answer: Breughel's paintings (One depicting a wedding feast, the other showing games children played) are used to show examples of everyday life in Europe in this era. Vesalius is discussed in both the scientific revolution and the enlightenment as a person who went against the "ancients" (old Greek, Roman, and Christian thinkers). His medical achievements are also discussed.
I hope this helps.
David B. Jones
This is the information you requested from the other high school in our district. It is located in the same city.
Dear Dr. Clark,
Arwen Pokorny searched her World History textbook and found Andreas Vesalius and Jan Van Eyck appear in the textbook.
School: Naperville North High School Naperville
Contact: clamaster@ncusd203.org
Date: 4-5-2001
The following people are mentioned or discussed in our world history textbooks:
Mercator, Pieter Breughel de Oudere, Versalius, Pieter Paul Rubens, Jan Van Eyck.
The books are: History of the World -- Modern era, edited by Perry, Shall, Davis published by Houghton & Mifflin
History of Western Society by McKay
Several of the people could be found in general encyclopedias such as World Book Encyclopedia.
I'm sorry but I don't feel I can take the time to scan articles and covers for you.
Cheryl LaMaster Library/media director
School: Fenwick High School
Contact: hope@fenwick.usa.com and Gerald F. Lordan
Date: 4-17-2001
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your recent letter. I am the History Department Chair. Our President, Rev. Richard LaPata, OP, shared your e-mail with me. We are pleased to be included in your research.
I reviewed the book used by our first year students in World History. Its title is Patterns of Civilization. Vesalius, Van Eyck, and Bruegel are all discussed. I have attached the pages.
I reviewed the book used by our fourth year students in Cultural History. Its title is Arts and Ideas. Vesalius, Bruegel, Rubens, and Van Eyck are all discussed. I have attached the pages.
We discuss Flanders most of ten when we study World War One. An American, Joyce Kilmer, wrote several poems about his military experience on the Western Front. He Was killed in action. Two of his most famous poems are "The Rouge Bouquet" and "Flanders Field'
We are all familiar with Fr.
Damien and his work with the lepers on Molaki. Hawaii is now a state
within our Union.
Most of what most Americans know about Flanders they have learned through their study of Belgium. In all honesty I must admit that many Americans seem unaware of the ethnic complexity, dual language tradition, and ancient history of Belgium. I believe Caesar once said, "Of all men the Belgians are the bravest." I have always been impressed with the courage of the Belgium Army in World War One.
We are a coeducational school of 1.150 students. We are located 10 miles due west of Lake Michigan. We are next to Chicago. Two residents of Oak Park we re Ernst Hemingway, the writer, and Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect. Among our alumni are Joe Kerwin, an astronaut, and Mike Quinlan, the Chairman of the Board of McDonald's Hamburger Chain.
Please come visit us if you ever come to America.
We will do the same if we go to Belgium.
Sincerely,
Gerald F. Lordan, PhD
Director of Institutional Advancement
A DOMINICAN CATHOLIC
COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
