State of the Field for Busy Teachers: Post-1970s US History

Wednesday, May 6, 1:45–3:00 p.m. ET

Online event – free and open to the public!

Secondary teachers in the AHA’s American Lesson Plan (2024) report that recent US history is among the hardest topics to teach, as standards peter out after the Vietnam War and teachers often run out of time before they get to the recent past. This event explores what students miss without that context and highlights themes, sources, and strategies for teaching post-1970s history. “State of the Field for Busy Teachers” events provide a forum for history teachers at all levels to interact with leading historians and discuss content, sources, and trends. 

What do students lose when they lack context to connect the content they discuss in history courses to contemporary issues and concerns? What themes, topics, and sources can help structure lessons or a unit on post-1970s US history? How do we prioritize content that students need amidst the push and pull between different expectations placed on introductory courses at all levels?

The AHA’s State of the Field for Busy Teachers series provides a forum for history teachers at all levels to interact with leading historians and discuss content, sources, and trends in scholarly interpretation on a theme related to topics commonly addressed in the history classroom. The discussion will be moderated by AHA staff, with a robust audience Q&A. We anticipate a lively exchange in which all participants can walk away with new insights and resources.

Featuring Gregory Daddis (Texas A&M Univ.), Sage Gray (Macalaster Coll.), Mindy Lawrence (Pace Academy), and Lee Vinsel (Virginia Tech).

Register at State of the Field for Busy Teachers: Post-1970s US History.

Can’t make it? Register anyway and receive a link to the recording after the event.