For nearly ten years Cabeza de Vaca wandered across the North American continent, surviving as a slave to various Indians and then as a trader and spiritual healer. His story is filled with action, drama, and mystery, and provides a gripping narrative of seemingly impossible escapes. My task this fall was to get my survey…

We begin our week with a guest post from Whitney Stewart, PhD candidate at Rice University.  Whitney and her colleague John Marks are organizing an upcoming symposium at Rice University that will produce an essential volume for scholars of race in the Atlantic World, but the conference will also prompt important discussion for all of…

A few years ago, I lost track of time while struggling to write a conclusion to a conference paper.  When I glanced at the clock, I realized that I was supposed to be in the classroom in two minutes. Running from my office across campus, I started thinking about the relationship between teaching and writing.…

Beginning this fall, I want to encourage my students to think more reflectively about how the past is represented—not only in terms of content, but also in terms of form. Toward this end, I am giving my survey students a window into our quirky, insular profession. On the first day, I gave them a brief…

Teaching United States History is back!  Beginning next week, you can expect exciting content from new voices and a continuation of the excellent discussions that have made this blog a clearinghouse for some of the most judicious and creative perspectives in the field.   If you or someone you know are doing interesting things in the…

Happy summer to all.  With Ed and Kevin taking a backseat, Teaching United States History is rebooting with new contributors, new content, and new conversations.  Stay tuned…