|
|
 |
Main
>
Departments
>
Teaching American History
| UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE FREEDOM PROJECT: 2009-2010 |
|
 |
| The Culture of Islam |
|
"Culture of Islam" Workshop - October 24, 2009
Schedule of Events
Ever since “9/11” teachers in America at all grade levels, and particularly at the secondary level, have had to face many questions to which most could only provide a sketchy answer. Not only is Islam a far more complicated religion than most of us suspected, but authorities, from the national government to educational supervisors, have viewed Islam not so much a religious and cultural issue but more a political problem to solve. With textbooks and media often providing erroneous information, and as war developed between the US and certain Muslim countries, the failure to solve problems reveals a terrible truth: not only American teachers, but American military planners, need to understand better a culture and religion that for 1500 years had dominated vast areas of our world.
To be able to better understand the culture of Islam and the Muslim people will demand study, reading and discussion. The first order of business therefore is to become educated through a basic study of Islam by someone trained in the religion. On Saturday, October 24th, instructors from Georgetown University’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding will present a workshop at the NIU Rockford Center for area teachers of grades K-12. The two all-day sessions, one for elementary and one for secondary teachers, will include such aspects as “Basic Beliefs and Practices of Islam,” “Contemporary Hot-Button Issues,” “Historical Issues in Teaching about Islam, and “Building a Comfort Zone.”
The goal of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding is “to build bridges of understanding between the Muslim world and the West by addressing stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and issues and questions such as the clash of civilizations, and the compatibility of Islam and modern life—from democratization and the pluralism to the status of women, minorities and human rights—and American foreign policy in the Muslim world.” Islam, a subject about which whole libraries have been written, is perceived by many teachers as the most difficult topic in the curriculum. The workshop presented by the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding will address the needs of teachers on a number of levels, giving them confidence, providing content knowledge and helping them integrate the content into their curriculum and standards. Every topic covered will be paired with teaching material that is readily available, with resources meeting accepted guidelines for constitutionally appropriate instruction regarding religion. Designed to help learners become engaged, lessons develop the critical thinking and geography skills required in the state and district program.
There is no cost for the workshop on Islam for teachers in Rockford Public Schools District #205. All participants must register by Tuesday, October 20th. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register, please complete the form below or contact Betsy at Roosevelt (815-966-3250 ext. 4341) or via email: betsy.homewood@rps205.com
|
|
The American Revolution: Context and Culture |
|
 |
| Abigail Adams focus of "Abigail and John: A Revolutionary Correspondence" |
|
2nd Freedom Project Symposium at NIU Rockford Center on November 22nd
Schedule of Events
The Freedom Project will conduct its second symposium on Saturday, November 7th at NIU Rockford with the focus on "The American Revolution: Context and Culture." Keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Carol Berkin of Baruch College whose book, "Revolution Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence" will be given to each teacher who registers as preparation for the day. Also presenting will be Margaret Hogan, director of the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society, who will provide content on the letters of Abigail and John Adams with her presentation "Abigail and John: a Revolutionary Correspondence," and Karen Quinones of New York City who will lead teachers in a virtual tour of Revolutionary Era Lower Manhattan. An informal afternoon session will have the three presenters sharing documents and strategies for teaching the content from the morning's lectures.
The symposium is free to all RPS #205 teachers and will include a continental breakfast, snacks, beverages, and a catered lunch on site. To register, contact Betsy at betsy.homewood@rps205.com |
| IMMIGRATION: THEN AND NOW |
|
 |
| Immigrants entering at Ellis Island |
|
3rd Symposium for Freedom Project -- January 23, 2010
Immigration has been a key issue throughout American history. On January 23rd, the Freedom Project will host the third symposium of the year with the focus on IMMIGRATION to be held at NIU Rockford from 8 AM until 3 PM. Guest speakers for this event will be Roger Daniels, retired professor emeritus and author of the book all registrants will receive, "Coming to America: a History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life;" David Reimers of NYU who will provide content on "America, Still the Golden Door?" to be followed by Neil Foley, University of Texas, who will address Hispanic Immigration and the work ethic of hispanic immigrants in America. Also speaking to the teachers will be David Byrnes of Midway Village who will talk about the new exhibit under construction at the museum which will focus on oral histories taken from local immigrants and the contribution of immigrants to Rockford's history. Teachers will be urged to bring their own "immigrant" stories to share with others.
There is no charge for RPS #205 teachers to attend the symposium. Register by contacting Betsy at 815-966-3250 ext. 4341 or via email at betsy.homewood@rps205.com. |
|
GOOD TIMES AND BAD: THE ROARING '20'S AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION |
|
 |
| Dust Bowl Days during the Depression |
|
4th Symposium for Freedom Project to be held Saturday, March 20th, 2010
On March 20th, the Freedom Project will host its fourth major symposium of the year with the focus on "Good Times and Bad: the Roaring '20's and the Great Depression." Guest speakers for this event will be Bob Korstad of Duke University who will speak about the African American population during the Great Depression. Susan Ware, a Cambridge historian, will present content on Women and the Great Depression, and Taylor Atkins of NIU will discuss the role of oral histories in studying this era of American history. The book for participants for this symposium is David Kyvig's "Daily Life in the United States 1920-1940: How Americans Lived through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression." |
| INDUSTRIALIZATION AND THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT |
|
5th and Final Symposium - April 24, 2010
The final symposium for 2009-2010 will be held at NIU Rockford on Saturday, April 24th with the focus on "Industrialization and the Women's Movement." Key speakers for this event will be Sylvia Cook, professor at St. Louis University and author of the book "Working Women, Literary Ladies" which each registrant will receive prior to the symposium. Also speaking will be M. Roe Smith of MIT who will focus on the process of American Industrialization from 1813-1870 with particular reference to the role of women and the Women's Movement prior to the Civil War. The final speaker with be our historian-in-residence, Dr. JD Bowers of NIU, who will provide additional content on Industrialization and the Women's Movement along with strategies for teaching this material. |
|
|
|
|
|
