EIU Media Relations

Deadline Nears for Annual EIU History Conference

A registration deadline of Sept. 26 has been set for "Building Bridges: Collaborative Efforts in Examining the World Around Us," Eastern Illinois University's 24th annual history teachers - and history enthusiasts - conference set to take place Friday, Oct. 3.

This year's conference is being held in conjunction with the "History at the Grassroots - Local History and Its Audiences" conference.

The $44 fee includes continental breakfast, morning break, lunch, all presentations for both conferences, exhibits, handouts and Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU's).

While the "Building Bridges" event is designed for teachers of history or social studies in a middle level, high school or college classroom, anyone with an interest in history is invited to attend. Sessions are aimed, in a variety of ways, at helping teachers "build the bridges which are essential to making vital connections" in the classroom.

Topics include "Using Flowcharting to Help Students Conceptualize History," "Using Computers in Your History Classroom," "What Research Tells Us About Teaching American History," "Integrating Local History Into Your Social Studies Curriculum," "Reading, Literature and Social Studies" and "Everyone Does Things Differently! A Swap Shop of Ideas, Methods and Materials."

"History at the Grassroots" sessions will provide a special opportunity for teachers, public historians, academics and others interested in local history to "explore the fascinating world of the local and regional past." Presenters will reveal how the study of local historic sites can contribute to a deeper understanding of "larger historical phenomena."

Topics include "Building Bridges: University-School Cooperation in Teaching and Learning Local and State History," "Constructing a Sense of Place: The Dynamics of San Diego and Ramona's Marriage Place," "Teaching and Learning History at Cahokia Mounds," "Interpreting the Plain Folk: Material Evidence of Cultural Distinctiveness within the Amish Community of Arthur and Arcola, Illinois" and "Local Myth, Local History: Uncovering the Past the Five-Mile House in Coles County, Illinois."

Anyone with questions or those interested in attending the conferences should contact Eastern's School of Continuing Education at (217) 581-5116 or e-mail the conference coordinator at csjeh@eiu.edu.

The one-day event is being co-sponsored by EIU's Department of History, Social Science Studies, School of Continuing Education and Office of Faculty Development, as well as the superintendents of Eastern Illinois Educational Service Regions.