America at War
In June 2013, Humanities Texas will hold professional development institutes for Texas teachers only in Austin (June 10–13),Houston (June 11–14), El Paso (June 17–20), and San Antonio (June 18–21) examining American wars from the colonial era through the twentieth century.
How to apply
Complete the online application, designating which Humanities Texas institute you wish to attend. If you would prefer to complete a hard copy of the application, contact our staff atinstitutes@humanitiestexas.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage teachers to apply as soon as possible, as Humanities Texas expects to fill all four institutes by the first week of May.
Curriculum
As in past years, institutes will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.
The institutes in Austin (June 10–13) and Houston (June 11–14), titled America at War: From the Colonial Era to 1877, will align with the state’s eighth-grade U.S. history curriculum. Topics to be addressed include the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, the Pueblo Revolt, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Indian wars in the southwest, and secession and the Civil War.
The institutes in El Paso (June 17–20) and San Antonio (June 18–21), titled America at War in the Twentieth Century, will follow the eleventh-grade U.S. history curriculum. Topics to be covered include the Spanish American War, World War I, American isolationism and neutrality between the wars, World War II, Latinos in World War II, the origins of the Cold War, the Truman Doctrine, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam.
Locations and Schedule
| June 10–13, 2013 | Austin | LBJ Library and Museum |
| June 11–14, 2013 | Houston | University of Houston |
| June 17–20, 2013 | El Paso | The University of Texas at El Paso |
| June 18–21, 2013 | San Antonio | The University of Texas at San Antonio |
Eligibility
The institutes are open to all middle and high school social studies, language arts, and humanities teachers but will focus on topics and skills central to the state’s secondary U.S. history curriculum. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.
Stipend, Travel Reimbursement, and CPE Credits
Participants will receive a $200 stipend, as well as CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. On-campus housing is available to out-of-town teachers at no cost. Teachers traveling to the institute from more than twenty-five miles one way are eligible to receive a travel reimbursement of up to $300 for eligible expenses, including include airfare, mileage (reimbursed at 56.5 cents per mile), and meals in transit. Itemized receipts are required for all costs excluding gas. GT credit is possible, depending on individual district standards.
Questions
Please direct any questions to Jillian Owens or Sheena Moore at 512.440.1991 or institutes@humanitiestexas.
Sponsors
These institutes are made possible with support from the State of Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop Series
Songs are like time capsules, filled with messages from a moment in history. They’re also fun to sing, making them an appealing and effective tool for the classroom. The Center for American Music at the University of Pittsburgh (
