The Urgency of the Past: Teaching History to Respond to the Politics of the Present

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 31

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Should social foundations/historical survey courses respond to the ideologies and rhetorics of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, misogyny, anti-intellectualism, and autocracy currently on display? In this session, four authors-educators from different institutional types, geographic regions, and areas of specialization examine how they altered the design of their foundations/survey courses, their pedagogical approach, and/or curricular materials in response to the present political landscape. From the rhetorical and policy attacks on teachers and teacher education, to the racist and Islamophobic portrayal of Middle Eastern religious and political life, to the Trump administration’s racial and religious scapegoating, each author contends that historical knowledge is imperative in navigating our present struggles.

Sub Unit

• Division F - Historical Inquiry in Education

Chair

• James W. Fraser, New York University

Papers

• Historical Mentors of Community Teaching: Looking Back for Our Journey Forward - Kate Napolitan, Evergreen State College; Michael Bowman, Iowa State University

• Teaching Islamic History in Trump Country - Hilary Kalisman, Furman University

• Using Archival Sources to Inspire Hope in Educational History - Kristen Michelle Hengtgen, Indiana University - Bloomington