Teaching Democracy and Freedom Summer Seminar

About this Event

Facing History’s approach to teaching U.S. history emphasizes students’ capacity for civic agency and develops the historical inquiry skills students need to generate more nuanced understandings of the struggle for democracy and freedom throughout US History.  Through this curated set of US History units and C3-style inquiries, students explore how progress towards greater freedom, equality, and justice are not inevitable, but a result of choices that people make.  

By the end of this seminar, you will be able to:

1. Experience a Facing History approach to teaching U.S. History through hands-on activities and exploration of voices not often included in textbooks
2. Engage with C3-style inquiry units that explore the relationship between democracy and freedom during the Founding Era, the Reconstruction Era, and at Angel Island Immigration Station
3. Collaborate with other educators to discuss how to analyze history and its connection to today through a critical and ethical lens
4. Use resources and teaching strategies to help students develop the capacity for civic participation and an understanding that democracy can only remain vital through the active, thoughtful, and responsible participation of its citizens

Taking place over three days, this seminar offers a real-time, interactive online classroom where participants will connect in facilitated whole- and small-group sessions. 

Seminar At-a-Glance Details

Who should take this seminar: 7th–12th grade US history teachers and curriculum specialists

Cost: There is a non-refundable $25 registration fee due once your application has been accepted. The $900 fee for this seminar has been waived thanks to generous funding from Facing History and Ourselves donors and partner organizations.

Schedule: Tuesday, July 23 – Thursday, July 25, 2024:

• Tuesday, July 23: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)
• Wednesday, July 24: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)
• Thursday, July 25: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)

Time Commitment: Approximately 4.5 hours per day (plus some breaks). 

Format: Facilitated Zoom meetings with session materials in Canvas.

Accessibility: Facing History is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive educational environment for educators of all abilities. If you have an accessibility need, please contact us at support [at] facinghistory.org (support[at]facinghistory[dot]org).

Certificate of Completion: Awarded upon successful completion of the seminar for 15 professional development hours. Requirements for professional development hours vary by state. It is the educator's responsibility to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of their state. If you are an educator based in New York, after taking this course you are eligible for 15 CTLE hours. If you are an educator based in Illinois, after taking this course you are eligible for up to 15 clock hours. If you are an educator based in MA, after taking this course you are eligible for up to 15 PDP hours. Please contact us to learn more about CTLE hours, clock hours, or PDP hours.