In July of 2022, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will present a 3-week, residential National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for K-12 Educators, exploring geographic mobility as it relates to the African American freedom struggle. Geographic mobility is one of the five fundamental themes within geography and it includes many types of movements to be addressed by the institute in the context of black experiences in the US.

The institute will offer a model of critical thought, instruction, and pedagogical application that supports ongoing calls for greater numbers of social studies educators to address power and inequity. Participants will attend lectures and lab exercises; participate in discussions; and learn methodologies and classroom activities from curriculum and content specialists. Participants will also experience field trips around Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis.

The 3-week residential summer institute will begin on the evening of July 3^rd, a Sunday, and will conclude in the afternoon of July 22, a Friday. For a detailed schedule, please visit the Schedule & Materials tab.

As an NEH-supported institute, The Role of Geographic Mobility in the African American Freedom Struggle will follow the Principles of Civility, which establishes guidelines for open, respectful discussion. All participants must pledge to follow the Principles of Civility in their interactions with faculty, staff, fellow scholars, and other groups and individuals throughout this program. At each session, part of the opening meeting will be dedicated to how we will engage with this subject and with one another over the course of the workshop.

Depending on public-health guidelines related to COVID-19, plans for a residential offering are subject to change.