Past Institutes

The U.S. Constitution

In October 2011, Humanities Texas held a series of one-day teacher workshops throughout the state focusing on the U.S. Constitution.

Curriculum

The workshops addressed topics such as important antecedents to the U.S. Constitution, the adoption of the Constitution, teaching the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution in the nineteenth century. Content was aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), with particular emphasis on newly added or revised standards.

Over one hundred and fifty teachers attended the workshops. Each program emphasized close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities. The workshops were designed ultimately to enhance teachers' mastery of the subjects they teach and to improve students' performance on state assessments. Teachers received books and other instructional materials.

Faculty

Workshop faculty included Jack N. Rakove of Stanford University, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History; Michael Les Benedict (The Ohio State University); Mary L. Volcansek (Texas Christian University); Charles Flanagan (National Archives and Records Administration); Joseph F. Kobylka (Southern Methodist University); Ken Stevens (Texas Christian University); and Jerold Waltman (Baylor University).

Program Resources

Our October/November 2011 newsletter included a slideshow of images from the workshops.

Locations and Schedules

The workshop overviews detail each program's schedule and participants.

Sponsors

These workshops were made possible with major funding from the state of Texas and a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.