Welcome to the first post on my American History blog. I am going to use this blog to post job/careers advice and to draw your attention to interesting resources in the field such as new websites or other people’s blogs, to comment on developments in the study of American History such as new books and also to talk about important conferences.
I’ll start by sharing a teaching resource. As well as a research-active, publishing historian I am also a teacher in the history department at Manchester Metropolitan University.
When I arrived there was only one other person in a department of 18 staff who worked on American history.
Then I realised that American history is not seen as a central topic in many departments in the UK (apart from American studies departments: I’ll talk about the differences in culture between History and American Studies in future posts). Many historians of America are isolated, so I decided to start a network for Teachers of North American History based at UK universities to bring us together.
The network is administered by the Higher Education Academy and we meet twice a year to discuss pedagogical matters and share experiences and resources. Our last meetings were held in Manchester and Keele. For more information and reports on our first two meetings please click here.
Anyone can join from postgraduate tutor to professor (it’s also a great networking opportunity). We’re planning to hold another event in the autumn, although our future is uncertain due to changes in the administration structure at the HEA. If you’re interested in joining please email me.
Dear Doctor Armstrong,
I am a college teacher of History in the United States with a specialty in American History. I found your site while searching for college teaching jobs in the U.K. on a temporary basis (at least one year). Unfortunately I have found that many of my students do not have an adequate background in American History from secondary school so they may successfully complete a college course in American History. I share your passion for our respective subject. I want to join your network and hopefully through the network I can find what I am looking for to enhance my professional abilities. I look forward to hearing from you.