Upcoming Institutes

The Cold War: History, Literature, and Culture (2024 In-Person Institute)

From June 3–6, 2024, Humanities Texas will partner with the LBJ Presidential Library and the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin to hold a professional development institute for social studies and English language arts (ELA) teachers on the history, literature, and culture of the Cold War.

Dates and Location

The institute will take place at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin from June 3–6, 2024.

Curriculum

Content will be aligned with the TEKS. The institute will expand participants' understanding of the history of the Cold War and its representation in literature and culture. Presentations on the history of the Cold War will cover topics such as the origins of the Cold War; containment; the Cuban Missile Crisis; the Vietnam War; Nixon, China, and the Cold War; and the legacy of the Cold War. Presentations on literature and culture will focus on the literature, film, music, and popular culture of the era.

Like all Humanities Texas teacher programs, the institute will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources and texts, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.

Faculty

Greg Barnhisel (Duquesne University) will serve as the faculty director for the institute. Faculty include Melissa Bradshaw (Loyola University Chicago), Jeffrey A. Engel (Southern Methodist University), Justin Hart (Texas Tech University), Sean Latham (The University of Tulsa), Mark Atwood Lawrence (LBJ Presidential Library), Kristin Matthews (Brigham Young University), Sheila Mehta (LBJ Presidential Library), Lien-Hang T. Nguyen (Columbia University), Howard Rambsy (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville), and Joshua Frens-String and Jeremi Suri of The University of Texas at Austin.

Eligibility

The institute is open to secondary-level social studies teachers in Texas schools. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.

Stipend, Travel Reimbursement, and CPE Credit

The institutes are free to teachers and their schools. Participants will receive a $400 stipend as well as CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. Stipends and CPE hours will be adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program.

Teachers traveling to the institute from out of town will be reimbursed for approved travel costs up to $300. Eligible expenses include use of a personal automobile, air travel, airport parking, and taxi fares. Meals and lodging are not reimbursable. Reimbursement rates are set by the State of Texas. Itemized receipts are required for all costs excluding gas. Please review the Humanities Texas travel policy for program participants for more information.

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the program. Please note that Humanities Texas’s maximum reimbursement for total travel expenses is $300, even if the participant’s actual expenses exceed $300.

Lodging

On-campus housing is available to out-of-town teachers at no cost and can be requested on the application.

How to Apply

Complete the online application. Please apply as soon as possible, as registration will occur on a rolling basis and space is limited.

Sponsors

The institute is made possible with major funding from the State of Texas, with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.