Upcoming Institutes

The New Nation: America, 1800–1860 (2024 In-Person Institute)

From June 24–27, 2024, Humanities Texas will hold a professional development institute in Fort Worth for secondary social studies teachers covering American history from 1800–1860.

Dates and Location

The institute will take place in Fort Worth on the campus of Texas Christian University (TCU) from June 24–27, 2024.

Curriculum

Content will be aligned with the TEKS. Presentations will cover the rise of United States political parties, the election of 1800, Jefferson and westward expansion, the Marshall Court, the War of 1812, foreign policy in the new nation, the market revolution and industrialization, the age of Jackson, the expansion of slavery in the early nineteenth century, Native Americans in the Early Republic, the Abolitionist Movement, Manifest Destiny, rising sectionalism, and the U.S.–Mexican War. In addition, Humanities Texas will introduce the curriculum set, Pivotal U.S. Elections. Activities and lessons included in the curriculum emphasize reading, writing, and historical thinking skills.

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

Faculty

Edward L. Ayers (University of Richmond) will deliver the opening evening’s keynote lecture. Faculty for the institute will include Leslie Alexander (Rutgers University), Richard Bell (University of Maryland), Lorri Glover (Saint Louis University), Joseph Kobylka (Southern Methodist University), Angela P. Hudson (Texas A&M University), Michelle Kuhl (University of Washington at Oshkosh), Andrew Torget (University of North Texas), and Samuel Davis, Todd Kerstetter, and Gene Smith of Texas Christian University.

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.