Announcing the 46th Annual History Teachers' Conference

April 19, 2013, Wilfrid Laurier University, 8:30am-3:30pm.

Mark your calendars! The History Department at Wilfrid Laurier University has scheduled our 46th Annual History Teachers' Conference for Friday, April 19th, 2013, from 8:30am-3:30pm. The theme for the conference is 'The Arts and Visual Culture.'

We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker (and performer) will be Juno-nominated musician Mike Ford, whose passion for history is reflected in his songwriting and performing. Formerly with the band Moxy Fruvous, Mike's latest solo project is focused on the War of 1812. In addition to speaking on the topic of 'history through music,' Mike will perform excerpts from this new song cycle, Flames Across the Border. Please see Mike's bio, to learn more.

In addition to the afternoon keynote address, the Conference will include two morning sessions.

1. Presentation: Dr. Amy Milne-Smith of the Laurier History Department will speak on literature as a teaching tool in World History, with a particular focus on the Graphic Novel. 2. Roundtable Discussion: In response to requests for more debate-oriented presentations, we have confirmed three speakers for a roundtable discussion and debate on researching and teaching history through the Arts and Visual Culture:

- Dr. Leonard Friesen, a specialist in Russian History (Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier), who will speak on Russian fiction.

- Dr. Blaine Chiasson, a specialist in Chinese History (Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier), who will speak on film and Asian History.

- Dr. Russell Johnston, a specialist in Canadian history (Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film, Brock University), who will speak on public monuments. 

You also can check out our revamped History Department website here, including the video 'Make History at Laurier':

We have an exciting conference lined up, and we hope to see you at WLU in April. (More details about the conference, including registration, will be sent out in January). In the meantime, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address below.

Sincerely,

Jeff Grischow

Associate Professor, Department of History

jgrischow@wlu.ca