McMullen Workshop

on 

Teaching Naval History and Seapower



Teaching Naval History and Seapower today:

The Forum on Integrated Naval History and Seapower Studies (FINHSS, “fins”) at the U.S. Naval Academy hosted a one-day conference and workshop on the teaching of naval history and seapower. With the support of the McMullen Sea Power Fund and the Naval Academy Foundation, this event aimed to enhance the pedagogy, content, and approaches to how we teach the naval past at the Naval Academy and across American higher education. FINHSS welcomed those teaching at service academies, research universities, liberal arts colleges, and anyone in between who eaches or is interested in teaching naval and maritime history. 

Videos of the Sessions are provided below for the continuing discussion of how and why we teach naval history.

Date: August 16, 2022

Location: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

The workshop included two morning sessions, lunch with a talk by Craig Symonds      (Prof. Emeritus of the U.S. Naval Academy & former King Chair at U.S. Naval War College) and an afternoon session.

Lunch Keynote: 

Dr. Craig Symonds, Professor of History Emeritus, U.S. Naval Academy

Session A: 

Topics in Naval History

Mark Folse 

(Center for Military History

 Marine Corps History is Naval History


Denise Krepp 

(Naval History & Heritage Cmd) 

Women’s History is Naval History


Dave Rosenberg

 (Institute for Defense Analysis)  

Naval History Since 1945


Session B:

Approaches to Naval History

Virginia Lunsford

(US Naval Academy)

The Value of Interdisciplinary Teaching


Nick Lambert

Economic History and Naval History


Bill Trimble

(Auburn University)

Aviation History and Naval History





Session C:

Methods in the Naval History Classroom

Dave Winkler 

(Naval Historical Foundation)

Oral History in the Naval Classroom


Abby Mullen 

(US Naval Academy)

Digital History in the Naval Classroom


Scott Mobley 

(University of Wisconsin)

Blended Learning & the Naval Classroom

Workshop Agenda

0700 – Shuttle begins running from Doubletree Annapolis & NMCM Stadium to  

             USNA, via Gate 1 security checkpoint.

0730 – Continental Breakfast, Rickover Hall Lobby


Morning Sessions: Rickover Hall, Room 103

0830 – Introduction and Opening Remarks

0900 – Session A: Topics in Naval History

1030 – Break

1100 – Session B: Approaches to Naval History


Luncheon: Hopper Hall, Volgenau Center

1230 – Lunch Buffet

1300 – Keynote Remarks from Dr. Craig Symonds, USNA Professor Emeritus


Afternoon Session: Rickover Hall, Room 103

1400 – Session C: Methods in the Naval History Classroom

1600 – Social Hour & Scuttlebutt: The Alley Bar, USNA Officer’s & Faculty Club

            (Cash Bar)


1530-1800 – Shuttle returning to Doubletree Annapolis & NMCM Stadium 


We hope to return for another workshop in 2024

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