Teaching the Twentieth Century: Communism and Dissent

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is partnering with the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin to a two-day faculty summer seminar entitled “Teaching the Twentieth Century: Communism and Dissent.”

The seminar, to be held at UT Austin, will prepare early- and mid- career professors to teach a course on communism from a variety of perspectives. The seminar, which will take place from October 16-18, will include four sample class sessions from a senior professor as well as four sessions on potential syllabi and pedagogy. For example, Gary Saul Morson will conduct sessions on Communism and literature and Daniel J. Mahoney on Communism and revolution. The renowned historian Sean McMeekin will deliver a keynote address on Thursday evening, October 16. The seminar will be free of charge with food and lodging covered.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

In order to participate, applicants must agree to teach a course related to the topics of the seminar within three semesters of finishing the seminar. Successful applicants will need to acquire express and written approval from their department chair or dean allowing them to teach such a course within that timeframe. Participants will receive a $2,000 stipend: half of that will be issued on completion of the seminar to cover travel. The other half will be issued when the course is approved at the participant’s home institution.

This seminar is open to full-time, tenure-track or recently tenured faculty at 4-year or higher institutions. Applications should be emailed to the Alexander Duff (alexander.duff@austin.utexas.edu) and should include the following attachments:

1. CV/Resume
2. 1-2 page statement explaining one’s interest in the seminar
3. Any other relevant documentation, including relevant course syllabi, publications, etc. (No more than 2 additional attachments please.)

We will accept applications through August 1 with rolling admissions. Space is limited.

WHO IS ORGANIZING THIS CONFERENCE?

This conference is a collaboration between Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Applications are invited on behalf of:

Flagg Taylor
Professor & Executive Director, Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, Miami University
Chair, Academic Council, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

Alexander Duff
Associate Professor, School of Civic Leadership, University of Texas at Austin

Eric Patterson
President & CEO, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation