Rethinking America in a Global Perspective

 

An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers at the Library of Congress, June 16-July 11, 2008

World Map

 

Introduction

The National History Center, American Historical Association, the Community College Humanities Association, and the Library of Congress invite you to apply for “Rethinking America in a Global Perspective,” a summer institute funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, DC. The four-week institute will take place at the Library of Congress from June 16 through July 11, 2008. The George Washington University Department of History will co-sponsor the institute.

The Library of Congress

About the Institute:
In an era of increasing global interaction and interdependence, those concerned with the historical, geographical, and cultural dimensions of America are actively rethinking the geographical and chronological boundaries of their subject of study. A growing body of scholarship now prompts American historians to "look...beyond the official borders of the U.S. and back again." At the same time, world historians have been producing exciting transnational studies that connect America to other world regions.

With a view to internationalizing American history at the college level, this institute will bring together teachers and experts for four weeks at the Library of Congress. Using its unparalleled collections of American and global materials, they will explore individual research interests while developing curricular ideas and materials that will encourage students to become better citizens of an America faced with a multitude of global challenges and opportunities.

The institute will be directed by Carl Guarneri and John Gillis. Guarneri has been a prominent proponent of globalizing American history and is the editor of America Compared: American History in International Perspective. Gillis has written extensively on comparative and transnational themes, especially relating to the Atlantic world.

They will be joined by a distinguished guest faculty—Charles C. Mann, Elizabeth Mancke, Laurent DuBois, Eliga Gould, Donna Gabbacia, Paul Kramer, Penny Von Eshen, and Alan Dawley—all of whom have made important contributions to this emerging field.

We hope you can join us at the Library of Congress from June 16 to July 11 for this institute—four weeks of lectures, discussions, and workshops focused on both teaching and scholarship. We encourage applicants from all periods of American history and from those in other areas whose work is related to America. For complete information about the content of the institute, housing options, and applicant qualifications, please see the directors’ letter. A preliminary syllabus, biographies of the directors, and biographies of the guest speakers are also available.

To Apply:
After reading the directors’ letter, please print out and consult the application information and instructions for applying to participate in the institute. Applications should be postmarked no later than March 1, 2008, and must include:


Applicants must submit three copies of the cover sheet, resume, application essay, and letters of recommendation ( can be sent in with the application in a sealed envelope that is signed across the back flip or sent separately). 

Paperclip (do not staple) each copy with materials arranged in this order and mail to: Miriam Hauss, Administrative Officer, National History Center, 400 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, or mhauss (at) historians (dot) org

 

Stipends

The stipend for participants is $3000, intended to help cover travel to and from D.C., accommodations, meals, and research expenses. The first check (approximately one half of the total, minus the housing prepayment required by GWU for those who opt for this arrangement) will be waiting for you when you arrive. The second check usually comes about halfway through the project.

 

Housing & Meals

Fellows of the institute will be housed in air-conditioned rooms at George Washington University (GWU), located at the very heart of the city and easily accessible by public transportation. For student housing at GWU, rates are projected to be between $1,000 and $1,150. Final pricing will be posted on the project website by mid-February. You will have a private bedroom but may share a bathroom, living room, and kitchen with other participants of the same gender. Remember, these are dorms, so you will be roughing it, with few of the amenities or services provided at a hotel. Weekly linen service will be provided, but there is no maid service and you must provide your own alarm clock, reading lamp, iron, hangers, toiletries, etc. NHC staff will provide additional information and advice about making your time in the dorm as comfortable as possible.

For a fee, you may use the dining services on the GWU campus, but where you take your meals will be up to you. Those of you who wish to bring your families to Washington may wish to look for apartments in the city. Most parts of D.C. are well served by public transportation, but NHC staff can provide advice on neighborhoods, transportation, safety, etc.

We will secure campus computing accounts for the participants housed at GWU, but strongly advise that you bring a laptop computer, as we cannot guarantee that computer centers will be close to the dorm. Internet access will be available in dorm rooms for a fee. All participants will have access to the GWU library, but may have to use the books on site during the library’s summer hours.

George Washington University is within easy walking distance of the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. You will need to take Metro to the Library of Congress.  Please note that parking will not be provided on campus or at the Library, so you are advised against bringing a car.

On most days, we will be having lunch together in or near the Library itself. Participants will pay for meals out of their stipends.  Afternoons will be largely devoted to independent study, but there will also be opportunities to re-gather in the evening.  As in 2005, we will continue the practice whereby each of our guest speakers had dinner with volunteer participants the evening before their presentation, and lunch after their talks, thus facilitating personal connections that were much appreciated by all involved.  Many evenings will be available to take advantage of Washington’s vast range of restaurants, theatres, museums, sporting events, and free public offerings. The NHC staff will provide a list of suggestions to get you started, including a list of affordable restaurants in walking distance from the Library.

Last Updated: November 7, 2007 10:19 AM