PROGRAMS
For High School Teachers
Professional Development Seminars for Teachers
The American Civic Tradition
Faculty from the School of Civic Leadership at UT Austin offer in-depth seminars on the American Civic Tradition.
Supported by a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education awarded through the American History and Civics Seminars program, the Summer Institute program addresses a critical national priority to support the K-12 teaching corps entrusted with transmitting the principles of American constitutional self-government: genuine civic renewal begins with well-prepared educators.
Over the next three years, SCL faculty are leading a series of content-rich professional development programs designed to provide teachers with a coherent sequence of instruction anchored in the close study of primary sources and the practice of Socratic pedagogy.
This three-day seminar series examines the theoretical ideas that informed the creation and development of America’s political system and some of the contemporary challenges to the maintenance of American democracy.
Topics include the Declaration of Independence, free speech in a democracy, slavery and the American founding, and major social and political movements in American history.
Goals of the Initiative
- Understand the texts and ideas that influenced the Founders during the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
- Study the perspectives of historical figures who were engaged in the central debates that shaped the United States.
- Consider how fundamental principles introduced at the Founding have influenced political and social movements throughout American history.
- Learn how to incorporate these primary sources and new knowledge into lessons for students.
Join us!
Seminars in Summer 2026 were offered in these cities:
2027 participating cities are TBD.
If you’re interested in learning more about this professional development seminar and thinking of participating, reach out to us using the contact form on this page.
We are currently working on our next cohort of teachers and we hope you’ll join us!
