COURSES

CLASSES AVAILABLE: For High School or College Level Classes

WWI: 1914-1918 “Devil Dogs” The Marines in WWI.  This lesson plan augments California History Standard 10.5 and 10.6:  Students analyze the causes and course of the First World War and its effects. The war to end all wars “…which permanently changed the map of Europe and deeply affected the rest of the world,” provides a look in the reason the U.S. entered WWI and the principal theaters of battle where the Marines helped determine the outcome.  Examine the geography, and analyze the hardships of combat.

WWII: “Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue:” Iwo Jima, February – March 1945. This lesson plan augments California History Standard 10.8: Students analyze the causes and consequences of World War Two, including the principal theaters of conflict and turning points of the war. In this lesson, students will locate Iwo Jima, where the Americans and Japan fought one of the most costly battles in the Pacific theater. They will also study the type of uniform worn by the Marines, and what they ate. 

Korean War: “The Frozen Chosin” November-December 1950. This lesson plan follows California History Standards 10.9 and 11.9: Students analyze the international developments and U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War Two world. The presentation provides an explanation of how America became involved in the war.  It includes an in-depth look at the role of U.S. troops in their most trying 72 days of the war when they endured -40 degrees in the Chosin Reservoir. 

Vietnam War: “Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs” 1954-1975. This lesson plan follows California History Standards 10.9 and 11.9: Students analyze the international developments and U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War Two world, including references to communism, domino theory and U.S. Marines’ role in Vietnam.

Current Events: Operation Iraq Freedom, November 2003 “Fallujah through the eyes of a Combat Correspondent.”  This lesson plan follows California History Standards 10.10: Students analyze the instances of nation-building in the contemporary world; 11.9: Students analyze the international developments and U.S. foreign policy since World War Two; and  12.10:  Contemporary Issues in the World Today. 

Additional Classes:

History Day: Invite Marine veterans to your school to talk about their own experiences and answer questions from the students.

African American Marines and the Integration into the Corps:  WWII – Present, this lesson plan meets California Standard 11.10.1:  “African Americans’ service in World War Two produced a stimulus for President Truman’s decision to end segregation in the armed forces in 1948.”

Women Marines: 1918-Present: California History Standard 11.5.4 "Analyze the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment and the changing role of women in society;" and 11.10.7: "Analyze the women's rights movement..." Study the history of American Women in the Marine Corps, how their social roles have changed "in historic events, and the effects of historical events on women."

The History of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot: Appropriate for all ages. This presentation can be offered in the Museum gallery, a walking tour or in the classroom. MCRD has buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Master architect Bertram Goodhue began his work here in 1917.

MUSEUM HOURS OF OPERATION
Mon. – Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thurs: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.