Friday, April 4, 2008

8:30-5:00 p.m. at Florida Atlantic University—Davie campus

Innovative and enthusiastic presenters are welcomed for the first Human Rights and Social Justice: 2008 and Beyond Conference, to be held at Florida Atlantic University’s Davie campus in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This one day conference on Friday, April 4, 2008 will bring together activists, educators, students, and professionals in an effort to assess the state of human rights and social justice in the U.S. and to offer visions and recommendations for change.

Each presenter will have 30 minutes to share their knowledge on some facet of human rights and social justice. Possible topics include domestic violence, privacy rights, death penalty, equity in education, and living wages, although innovative ideas are welcome! Consistent with the theme of the conference, those selected to present will be required to do so in a non-traditional format. Small amounts of traditional lecture are acceptable, but presentations must include another mode of presentation, such as a performance, interactive activity, reenactments, or role play. Creativity is strongly encouraged!

All presenters will be expected to register and pay for the conference. Cost to attend the conference is $75 if done in advance, $80 on the day of the conference. A special rate of $30 in advance ($40 on the day of the conference) is available with documentation of student status (undergraduate or graduate). Please contact Dr. Finley at the email address listed below for registration information. This information will be mailed to all presenters as well.

Please submit abstracts no longer than one page to Dr. Laura Finley, Director of the Center for Living and Teaching Peace. Abstracts should include a description of the topic, how it fits the theme of Human Rights and Social Justice: 2008 and Beyond, and the methods of presentation to be used, including any audiovisual needs. Abstracts must also include complete contact information, including full name, affiliation (if any), mailing address and email address, and telephone number. A resume or c.v. should be included as well. Please all materials to lauraleefinley@hotmail.com by February 29, 2008.

Persons selected to present will be notified via email by March 12, 2008. Specific details about the conference schedule will be mailed at that time as well. Given that the conference is only one day, all persons submitting proposals agree to present at the time allotted.

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June 2008, Washington, DC

Street Law, Inc. and the Supreme Court Historical Society will sponsor the annual Supreme Court Summer Institute in two sessions for 2008: June 12-17 and June 19-24. The institute is open to secondary teachers and supervisors of law, government, and social studies. Participants will spend five stimulating days on Capitol Hill and inside the Supreme Court learning about the Court, its past and current cases, and how to teach about them from top Supreme Court litigators, scholars, and educators. We will be in the Court to hear the Justices announce the final decisions of the term, explore the influence of interest groups on the Court’s caseload, discuss media coverage of the Court with a reporter who covers the Court, and attend a private reception at the Court.

For full information and to download an application, go to www.streetlaw.org/scsipage.html or email asnowdon@streetlaw.org. Applications and letters of reference must be postmarked by March 10, 2008.

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LITERATURES, RELIGIONS and ARTS of the HIMALAYAN REGION

to be held from July 7-31, 2008 at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts

An interdisciplinary Institute funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities will be held next summer that will focus on cultures of the Himalayan region (principally in Nepal, Kashmir, and Tibet). Hinduism and Buddhism will be featured, as well as shamanism. Presentations will be devoted to art history and participants will tour the Rubin Museum of Tibetan Art in New York. Both the traditional and modern literatures of Tibet and Nepal will be covered, including sessions led by the notable modern Nepalese authors Samrat Upadhyay and Manjushree Thapa. The Institute will end by surveying the modern ecological and political problems facing the peoples of the region. Leading experts from around the world will join the directors in presenting the sessions.

A series of Institute workshops will comprehensively highlight available K-12 classroom resources and participants will consult with scholars to pursue their individual interests. By the Institute’s end, teachers will also receive web design training and create their own web sites that will contain their own curriculum implementation plans.

NEH offers participant stipends and Holy Cross will award continuing education certificates for attendance.

Queries regarding applications can be made to Professor Todd Lewis: tlewis@holycross.edu
The deadline for all application materials is March 1, 2008

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The 11th annual Eisenhower Academy, a summer institute for teachers, will be held July 6-11, 2008 at Gettysburg College and Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, PA. Sponsored by the National Park Service, Gettysburg College, and Mount St. Mary’s University, the Academy presents an in-depth perspective of Dwight D. Eisenhower as president and world leader, and introduces effective strategies for teaching the Cold War era in the classroom. Lectures and discussion cover civil rights, the Cold War, 1950s economics, popular culture, and new scholarship on the Eisenhower presidency. Field trips include a visit to the Eisenhower family home and a walk through historic Gettysburg.

Total cost, including field trips, special evening events, banquets, lodging and all meals is $685 for single occupancy. Cost for day students is $380. Professional education and graduate credits are available.

For more information, contact Eisenhower Academy, 250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17325; 717-338-9114 Ext. 10; e-mail john_joyce@nps.gov; or go online to www.nps.gov/eise.

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A workshop “Thomas Jefferson: Personality, Character and Public Life” will take place from July 13 to August 8, 2008, with the first three weeks in residence at Boston University and the fourth week at Monticello in Virginia. The National Endowment for the Humanities sponsors this institute. Activities will include talks by leading Jefferson scholars (such as Peter Onuf, Jan Lewis, and Joyce Appleby) and field trips to the Massachusetts Historical Society and Adams National Historical Park. Further information, contact information, and the application can be found at www.thomasjeffersonpersonalitycharacterandpubliclife.org/.

Stipends for teachers who are selected will be $3,000. Deadline for application is March 3, 2008

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The Fifth Annual Seminar on Korean History & Culture and the Korean American Experience for K-12 educators will be held July 7-11, 2008 in Los Angeles. This five-day seminar is a unique opportunity to learn about Korean history and culture and the Korean American experience. The curriculum provides an understanding of Korean history, fosters an awareness of its rich culture, and makes available outstanding resources and lessons. (More than sixty K-12 teachers and administrators may attend, but apply soon for your place.)

Participants learn about Korea from prominent scholars, view engaging films, explore Koreatown, savor delicious food from one of its best restaurants, visit a Buddhist temple, view exquisite art, hear the unique sounds of Korean music, enjoy a lesson on the Jango drum, observe teens performing traditional dances, learn the theory and experience the practice of martial arts, observe a traditional wedding ceremony, and create art that reflects ancient tradition.

Participants also become familiar with the Korean Cultural Center (with extensive library and video collection, art galleries, and varied programs), receive resources and lessons for the classroom (including 18 PowerPoint lectures), and learn about study and travel grants. Participants also become more effective in meeting the needs of Korean American students and their families.

Sponsors include The Korean Cultural Center and the Korea Academy for Educators (KAFE).

Registration is $75. Three fellowships (airfare, hotel stay, and additional funds for meals) will be available for teachers who live over 60 miles from the Los Angeles area. UCLA Extension credit is available. For applications and more information, visit www.KoreaAcademy.org and contact Mary Connor at Mary@KoreaAcademy.org. Application deadline is March 15, 2008.

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Class of 2008

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is looking for educators interested in becoming the newest members of the Teach Vietnam Teachers Network.

This nationwide network is made up of elementary, secondary, high school and college educators who are dedicated to teaching students about the Vietnam War era and building awareness about VVMF's educational initiatives. Members of the Network represent VVMF in their school districts and communities, helping to educate other teachers and neighbors about the war’s legacy and how it continues to impact our nation today. In exchange, members are provided with numerous benefits, including free educational materials and professional development opportunities to assist them in serving as VVMF’s education “ambassadors.”

The highlight of the Teachers Network experience is attending the national conference, being held this year at American University on July 16-20. During the course of the meeting, educators will attend seminars about the Vietnam War and The Wall led by veterans, fellow teachers and other guest experts. There will also be a variety of activities at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For educators accepted into the Class of 2008, VVMF will provide meals, accommodations and local transportation during the conference.

For more information about the Teachers Network, please visit our web site at: http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=385. Applications can be downloaded from the site or by contacting VVMF at (202) 393-0090 or e-mail vvmf@vvmf.org. To be considered for the Class of 2008, teachers must ensure that all application materials are received by the Memorial Fund by Friday, March 28, 2008. A limited number of teachers will be accepted for the Class of 2008.

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All participants receive at NO COST:

• Round-trip airfare or equivalent mileage to and from the institute
• Lodging and meals
• A set of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution texts and other professional materials

For information about these professional development opportunities, please contact the professional development director.

National Institutes

We the People Summer Institute for Upper Elementary Teachers July 10–17, 2008 Harrisonburg, VA Bill Wilson wilsonwr@jmu.edu

We the People Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers July 18–26, 2008 Harrisonburg, VA Bill Wilson wilsonwr@jmu.edu

We the People Summer Institute for High School Teachers 30–August 6, 2008 Boston, MA Roger Desrosiers wtpmass@bu.edu

National Academy for Civics and Government: Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens/NEH and WTP Institute 12–August 2, 2008 Occidental College Los Angeles, CA Natale Fuller fuller@civiced.org

State Institutes Alaska April 10–12, 2008 University of Alaska, Anchorage Maida Buckley ffmb1@uaf.edu

Arkansas TBD UCA/Harrisburg Jeff Whittingham jeffw@uca.edu

California July 17–24, 2008 Sierra Nevada College Incline Village, Nevada David Richmond cawtp35@yahoo.com

California May 8–11, 2008 Morro Bay Terri Richmond trichmond@khsd.k12.ca.us

Colorado June 10–13, 2008 Denver Jackie Johnson johnsonjs@qwest.net

Florida July 7–12, 2008 Florida State College of Law Tallahassee Annette Boyd Pitts abpflreaed@aol.com

Georgia Jan 23–24, 2008 Fulton County Professional Learning Center East Point Pat Guillory, John Hoge jdhoge@uga.edu

Illinois July 7–9, 2008 North Park University Pat Feichter pfeichter@comcast.net

Maryland July 24–26, 2008 Montpelier, Virginia Marcie Taylor-Thoma mthoma@msde.state.md.us

Michigan July 28–31, 2008 Montpelier, Virginia Jim Troost Jim.Troost@oakland.k12.mi.us

Mississippi TBD Mississippi State University Susie Burroughs SBurroughs@colled.msstate.edu

Missouri June 9–12, 2008 Columbia College Millie Aulbur milliea@mobar.org

Nebraska June 15–21, 2008 Lincoln Sarah Peetz sarah@nebarfnd.org

New Jersey July 20–23, 2008 Montpelier, Virginia Arlene Gardner agardner@njclre.rutgers.edu

North Carolina July 19–25, 2008 Peace Institute Raleigh Diane Wright dwright@ncbar.org

Texas July 12–18, 2008 Austin Jan Miller jmiller@TEXASBAR.COM

Virginia July 14–17, 2008 Montpelier Michael Taylor mtaylor@montpelier.org

Wisconsin July 20–25, 2008 University of Wisconsin/Platteville Beverly Vaillancourt bv@mwt.net

Wyoming July 13–20, 2008 Jackson Matt Strannigan mstrannigan@hotmail.com

We the People: Project Citizen will host five regional summer professional development institutes in 2008. The program, used in more than 60 countries, is the most widely adapted and implemented civic education curriculum throughout the world. It has been recognized as a model community service program, promoting competent and responsible participation in local and state government, and civil society. Project Citizen engages students in a series of structured, cooperative learning activities guided by teachers and adult volunteers. Working in teams, students learn to interact with their government and community leaders through a five-step process that entails (1) identifying a public policy problem in their community, (2) gathering and evaluating information about the problem, (3) examining and evaluating alternative solutions, (4) selecting and developing a public policy proposal to address the problem, and (5) developing an action plan to bring their proposed solution to authorities with the power to implement it.

Participants are selected through an application process, which includes a written essay and statement of administrative support. Selected participants must also agree to implement Project Citizen in their classroom or organization during the following academic year. Institutes are open to upper elementary, middle, and high school educators.

Participants chosen to attend will receive AT NO COST:

• Round-trip airfare or equivalent mileage to and from the institute
• Lodging and meals
• A set of Project Citizen texts and other professional materials

Application information is available on the Center‚s website (www.civiced.org) under Professional Development, Project Citizen.

Mountains/Plains Regional Summer Institute–Denver, CO June 15–20, 2008

Central Regional Summer Institute–Indianapolis, IN July 6–11, 2008

Western Regional Summer Institute–Prescott, AZ July 12–18, 2008

Southeast Regional Summer Institute–Clemson, SC July 13–18, 2008

Northeast Regional Summer Institute–Newport, Rhode Island July 14–20, 2008

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