Past Institutes

Pivotal U.S. Elections, 1896–1948


On October 16, 2018, Humanities Texas held a one-day workshop in San Antonio on pivotal U.S. presidential elections from the beginning of the Progressive Era to post-war America.

Curriculum

The workshop covered the presidential elections of 1896, 1912, 1932, and 1948. Topics addressed included the advent of the Progressive Era, the impact of third parties, the Great Depression, the New Deal, and post-war America.

The workshop emphasized close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities. Content was aligned with the secondary social studies TEKS. Teachers received books and other instructional materials and were trained in the examination and interpretation of primary sources.

Faculty

Workshop faculty included Karl Rove (author and columnist), David Crockett (Trinity University), George C. Edwards III (Texas A&M University), and Jeffrey A. Engel (Southern Methodist University).

Location and Schedule

The workshop took place at The Witte Museum on October 16, 2018. Download the workshop schedule.

Sponsors

The workshop was made possible with major funding from the State of Texas and a Humanities in the Public Square grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Questions about Teacher Institutes

Call 512.440.1991 (press 2) or email institutes@humanitiestexas.org.

David Crockett, professor of history at Trinity University, examines the significance of the election of 1912.

Jeffrey A. Engel, founding director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, notes the importance of political cartoons in his lecture on the election of 1948.

Karl Rove, author and columnist, shares his collection of campaign memorabilia to workshop participants.