In recent years, politicians across the U.S. have been debating what history should be taught in the classroom. Connecticut is no exception to these debates— a 2022 press conference announcing a planned Native Studies curriculum in Connecticut's public schools turned tense when questions around the specifics of the program came up.

This hour, we’re talking to historians and educators to learn what it's like to teach and study the past in all its complexity in today's polarized political climate.

This panel was part of a live event hosted with The Connecticut Forum in November, less than two weeks after the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

GUESTS:


Andy Horowitz: Associate Professor of History at the University of Connecticut and Connecticut State Historian. His work looks at disasters and the broader implications they have for society.


Fiona Vernal: Director of Engaged, Public, Oral and Community Histories and Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut.


Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education for Akomawt Educational Initiative. He is also Founding Director of the Native American Cultural Program and Instructor-in-Residence at the University of Connecticut. He is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township.

To hear more about Professor Andy Horowitz's research, you can listen to our episode on disasters.

In recent years, politicians across the U.S. have been debating what history should be taught in the classroom. Connecticut is no exception to these debates&mdash; a <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2022/11/30/ct-native-american-history-public-school-curriculum/">2022 press conference</a> announcing a planned Native Studies curriculum in Connecticut's public schools turned tense when questions around the specifics of the program came up.
This hour, we&rsquo;re talking to historians and educators to learn what it's like to teach and study the past in all its complexity in today's polarized political climate.
This panel was part of a <a href="https://www.ctforum.org/event/forum-encore-reflections-on-a-complex-connecticut/">live event</a> hosted with <a href="https://www.ctforum.org/">The Connecticut Forum</a> in November, less than two weeks after the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.andyhorowitz.com/">Andy Horowitz</a>: Associate Professor of History at the <a href="https://history.uconn.edu/person/andy-horowitz/">University of Connecticut</a> and Connecticut State Historian. His work looks at disasters and the broader implications they have for society.
</li>
<li>
Fiona Vernal: Director of Engaged, Public, Oral and Community Histories and <a href="https://history.uconn.edu/person/fiona-vernal/">Associate Professor of History</a> and <a href="https://africana.uconn.edu/person/fiona-vernal/">Africana Studies</a> at the University of Connecticut.
</li>
<li>
Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education for <a href="https://www.akomawt.org/">Akomawt Educational Initiative</a>. He is also <a href="https://social-critical-inquiry.uconn.edu/person/chris-newell/">Founding Director of the Native American Cultural Program and Instructor-in-Residence at the University of Connecticut</a>. He is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township.
</li>
</ul>
To hear more about Professor Andy Horowitz's research, you can listen to <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2023-11-08/how-natural-are-natural-disasters">our episode on disasters</a>.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

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