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April 27, 2012

ULM History to host third "Teaching American History" Institutes; deadline to apply May 1

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Department of History is set to host its third annual Summer Institutes for "Teaching American History."

For those teachers looking for new and engaging ways to teach American history, or those needing continuing education credits, Teaching American History Summer Institute will enrich your knowledge of the subject you teach.

Participants will receive a $2,000 stipend, three graduate college credits in history, and classroom materials.

Through a Teaching American History grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities will provide advanced study opportunities for public school American history teachers in northeastern Louisiana.

The Institutes are designed for Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, and East Carroll Parishes and for Monroe City School American history teachers.

The institutes are designed to assist teachers and their students in meeting state and national standards, including the Grade Level Expectations, Graduation Exit Examination and LEAP tests.

These are graduate-school level institutes in which participants will immerse themselves in intellectually challenging seminars and readings led by respected university history professors and nationally prominent guest scholars.

Teachers will explore key documents, debates, philosophies, and personalities that shaped American history, as well as the origins and evolution of American democracy, the Constitution, civic rights, and responsibilities.

The Institutes will make use of the most current resources (both text and electronic), as well as introduce participants to local cultural resources and archives.

Teachers should leave the Institutes armed with renewed proficiency in American history, and with new strategies, materials and technology to help students better understand the central issues that shaped our nation and its people.

Available Teacher Institutes:

Through classroom discussions, readings, field trips, and writing essays, each teacher institute will provide elementary, middle and high school teachers with intellectual stimulation and advanced knowledge of American or Louisiana history.

While the careful study of American history is the main focus, the Institutes also will focus on how original and primary documents may be integrated into your classroom lesson plan.

Term: Four weeks, Monday-Thursday, three classroom hours per day. Institute syllabus may require fieldtrips on Fridays or days other than scheduled classroom hours.

Time & Dates: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., June 4-28, 2012.

Stipend: $2,000 stipend, institute books, and teaching materials to take back to the classroom.

Eligibility: Public school teachers who teach U.S. or Louisiana history at the elementary, middle, or high school levels in Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, and East Carroll parishes, and Monroe City Schools.

Applicants must be eligible to be admitted in good standing at ULM.

Academic Credit: Teachers will receive three credit hours in history from ULM upon successful completion of the institute.

Tuition & Other Benefits: Teachers will not pay tuition or fees. ULM has waived tuition for participating teachers.

In addition, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities will pay for the remaining mandatory university fees, textbooks and teaching materials for teachers to take back to their classrooms.

Successful Completion: To receive the stipend and academic credit, teachers must successfully complete the Institute, which means they must receive a passing grade from the university and complete all institute requirements.

Enrollment: Limited to 23 teachers per Institute.

Where: University of Louisiana at Monroe

Registration: See application and requirements. Download the Application Form PDF from www.leh.org.

Requirements: Completed application form, two references identified (one should be a principal and an assistant principal or department head).

Registration Deadline: May 1, 2012

Contact: Walker Lasiter, Director of Grants
Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
938 Lafayette Street, Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70113
Fax: 504-529-2358
For questions: (504) 620-2631; lasiter@leh.org

From June 4-28, 2012, three institutes will be offered.
All Institutes will run Monday through Thursday (some Friday and afternoon field trips may be scheduled).

For Elementary School Teachers
Those Who Made a Nation
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dr. Roger Carpenter, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Teachers will study individuals and groups who contributed to the formation of American character from the founding of the first successful English colonies in the early 17th century to the first years of the American Republic.

The class will explore the teaching of history through biographies of individuals as well as through the collective stories of the diverse cultures that settled North America.

The class will take a "top down" and "bottom up" approach — studying the lives of planters, lawyers and merchants (from amongst whom came the "Founding Fathers"), as well as women of all classes, artisans, yeoman farmers, Native Americans, indentured servants and slaves.

Discussions will be enhanced by primary documents and workshops on how to use images and material culture in the classroom. The class will include a field trip to a historical site.

For Middle School Teachers
Louisiana History: A Bicentennial Celebration
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dr. Terry Jones, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Teachers will explore the history of Louisiana from the prehistoric Indian cultures to the present.

The institute will focus on Louisiana's social and political history within the context of national and international events, such as Louisiana's place in the European quest for colonial empire in North America, the American Revolution, the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, immigration and westward expansion.

Other topics include French and Spanish colonial slave laws vs. British colonial slave regulations in the 13 colonies; Louisiana's place in the nation's pre- and post-Civil War economy; effects of Reconstruction in Louisiana on national politics; Huey Long and FDR; Louisiana's contributions to WWII (the Higgins Boats, etc.) and the nation's culture.

Discussions will be enhanced by primary documents, discussions, and workshops on how to incorporate images, material culture, and other innovative media in the classroom during the celebration of our state's bicentennial.

For High School Teachers
World War II and the American Home Front
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dr. Ralph Brown III, University of Louisiana at Monroe

This institute examines conditions that led to World War II and U.S. involvement.

It will analyze U.S. Atlantic and Pacific strategies and discuss U.S. relationships with the Allies. Equally important, the institute will focus on U.S. industrial challenges prior to and during the war and the role of U.S. workers in gearing up American industry for the war.

It will look at the social, economic and political conditions on the American home front, including rationing, working women, local prisoner of war camps, and Civil Rights.

Discussions will be enhanced by primary documents and workshops on how to use images and material culture in the classroom.

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