Institutes and Seminars

Our teaching institutes and seminars engage the participants in scholarship on the topic and provide opportunities to explore ways to incorporate the Choices Program’s resources and approach to make these topics come alive for students in their classrooms. They usually take place at Brown University. Recent institutes and seminars included the following:

Iran Through the Looking Glass - Perceptions and Misperceptions: June 29 - July 2, 2008

This 3-day summer institute will give participating teachers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Iranian culture and politics, and explore critical issues in Iranian-U.S. relations. Major themes covered during this institute will include Islam and Iranian society, the role of Islam in politics, democratic forces in Iran, the history of Iranian-U.S. relations, and current pressing issues in Iranian-U.S relations, including nuclear proliferation and Iran’s involvement in the Iraq conflict. Participants will hear from leading scholars on the subject. A brochure and application is available online.

China on the World Stage - May 6, 2008

The Choices Program and the Five College Center for East Asian Studies are offering an afternoon teacher seminar focused on teaching about issues in China today. Topics addressed will include Taiwan, Tibet, and U.S.-China relations. Information on this program is available online.

The U.S. and Iran: An Institute for Teachers - April 11, 2008

The Choices Program is offering a one-day institute for secondary level teachers. Join the Choices Program and scholars from Brown University as we explore the history of Iranian-U.S. relations, look at the evolution of their acrimonious relationship, and consider the current issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program. A brochure and registration form are available oniline.

Challenges to National Security: July 23-26, 2007

This 3-day summer institute will give participating teachers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the major security challenges facing our nation and will introduce them to effective instructional strategies for engaging adolescents in an exploration of international policy and national security. The primary issues to be examined during this summer’s institute will be nuclear proliferation, international terrorism, and U.S. foreign policy decisions and their implications for national security. Participants will hear from leading scholars on the subject. A brochure and application is available online.

Age of Imperialism to the Second World War: June 24-30, 2007

This 6-day teaching institute is part of a multi-year program in collaboration with the Omaha Public Schools. The program is funded under a Teaching American History grant. Year two of this program will focus on the rise of America as a world power from the Spanish-American War to America’s entrances into World War II. The major themes addressed over the course of the institute are: expansion and imperialism in the Americas and the Pacific, engagement vs. isolationism, idealism vs. realism, domestic sources and impact of U.S. foreign relations; and exceptionalism. Participating teachers will have the opportunity to hear from distinguished scholars in the fields of U.S history and foreign policy.

Dimensions of the Cold War: Teaching Institute: March 21, 2007

"Dimensions of the Cold War" is a full-day teaching institute for secondary level teachers.Participating educators will hear from leading scholars and will explore various teaching strategies aimed at engaging adolescent learners and bringing this critical period in history to life. Information and registration form for this teaching institute is available online.

Slavery In New England Seminar Series: September 21 and December 8, 2006

The Choices Program and the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery & Justice invited teachers to participate in a workshop and seminar series focused on New England's involvement in the slave trade and slavery. Two full-day programs took place on September 21, 2006 and December 8, 2006. The programs included scholar presentations and classroom activities addressing various topics surrounding slavery and the slave trade in New England. A brochure is available online.

The Professional Development Calendar provides information on all Choices Program workshops and teaching institutes.