Upcoming Institutes
Teaching the Spanish Colonial and Mexican National Periods in Texas History (Summer 2024 Webinar Series)
From July 9–11, 2024, Humanities Texas will hold a webinar series on teaching the Spanish colonial and Mexican national periods in Texas history.
Curriculum
The webinar series will take place on Zoom from 1:00–3:00 pm CT on July 9, 10, and 11.
This three-part webinar series will offer teachers new windows into the transformations that both Spain and Mexico brought to Texas and provide a collection of curriculum materials bringing innovative perspectives into the classroom. Taught by a historian and a master teacher (Andrew Torget, the University of North Texas; Courtney Abubakar), this series will explore how the spectacular rise and fall of Spain in Texas created endemic problems that Mexico simply could not escape, setting the stage for the United States's colonization of Texas and a transformation of the region during the 1820s. Content will be aligned with the TEKS.
Like all Humanities Texas teacher programs, the webinar series will be content-based and teacher-centered, with an emphasis on teaching with primary sources and developing effective pedagogical strategies. Teachers attending this webinar series will gain new insights into the era and receive curated primary-source lessons that are classroom-ready.
Summer 2024 Webinar Schedule
- July 9—Spain in Texas: This session will explore the world that Spaniards encountered in Texas, their interactions (and often conflicts) with native peoples, the numerous early Spanish explorations of the region, and the French threat in Robert La Salle’s colony that spurred Spanish authorities to turn (in desperation) to the mission system as their only means for establishing a permanent presence in Texas.
- July 10—Transition to Mexico: This session will explore Spain’s persistent failures to control Texas during the 1700s, the collapse of Spanish settlements in the region during the violence of Mexico’s War for Independence, and the attempts of Mexican politicians during the early 1820s to stabilize the chaotic situation they had inherited in Texas.
- July 12—Mexican Texas: This session will explore the development of Texas under Mexico, focusing on the transformations of Stephen F. Austin’s colony, the efforts of Mexicans to govern their new nation, and the battles over slavery and federalism that brought increased tensions between Texas and Mexico City by the late 1820s.
Eligibility
The institute is open to secondary-level social studies teachers in Texas schools.
Attendance and CPE Credits
The online program is free to teachers and their schools. Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials for each session in the series. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to attend very session. CPE hours will be based on Zoom attendance and adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program.In order to attend the webinars and receive CPE credit, you must be a registered participant.
How to Apply
Complete the online application for the "Teaching the Spanish Colonial and Mexican National Periods in Texas History" online series. By submitting an application, you are signing up to receive information about and access to each weekly session of this series. Please apply as soon as possible, as registration will occur on a rolling basis.
Sponsors
The webinar series is made possible with major funding from the State of Texas with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Questions about Teacher Institutes
Call 512.440.1991 or email institutes@humanitiestexas.org.