Study of the U.S. Institute for Secondary School Educators, 2010

ITD is conducting its 13th Teachers Summer Institute for secondary school teachers, curriculum developers, and teacher trainers from June 18 to July 31, 2010.  The project is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, of the U.S. Department of State.  The program takes place on the East Coast (New England and New York), the West (Salt Lake City, Wyoming and Montana) and Washington D.C.  The 4-week campus component will take place at Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachusetts. 

As in previous years, the goal of the program is to promote the development and improvement of courses and teaching about the U.S. at secondary schools and teacher training institutions abroad.  Emphasis will be placed on political, social, and economic issues in America, with the arts and pedagogy as minor themes.  The Institute will relate contemporary issues in the U.S. to their historical origins. 

The program's Academic Director is Frank Couvares, Amherst College Professor of History and American Studies.  Throughout the six weeks of the Institute, activities will include academic lectures and readings, debates by visiting faculty and participants, panel discussions, film showings, and site visits to historical locations, cultural and governmental institutions, and festivals and celebrations.   Institute faculty will come from a wide geographic area and will represent the disciplines of history, literature, political science, education, sociology, art history and American Studies.  Non-academic speakers, such as journalists, musicians, and government officials will also offer presentations.   The program provides opportunities to interact with US counterpart teachers and ordinary Americans.   

The Western Component will include visits to Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park and a Native American Reservation.  In Washington, participants will see U.S. national monuments, visit the Smithsonian Museums, and meet with U.S. Department of State officials.  ITD staff will lead all activities, including a cultural excursion in New York City.

The 29 participants for this program come from 28 different countries around the world.

Click here for a website provided by the U.S. Department of State with a number of general resources related to American Studies.