Case Studies in World History

Photo collage combines: Tenochtitlán 1550 Map and “MTG-I” from the European Space Agency

Summer Institute for Community College Instructors

May 30 - 31, 2025

This program revisits the ORIAS focus on teaching World History through a collaboration with History for the 21st Century. Sessions will feature academic talks by H21 authors, explorations of related teaching materials, and facilitated discussion about how these topics and materials fit within the context of the World History survey course at community colleges. H21 materials are authored by scholars specifically for use in World History survey courses, then peer reviewed and classroom-tested prior to publication. This program will feature a mix of published and in-process material.

This ORIAS Summer Institute is intended for instructors of world history. Some Global Studies faculty may also find the material relevant and helpful. It is open to community college instructors and (space permitting) high school teachers of AP World History.

This FREE program will take place in person and lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

Friday, May 30

9:30 - 9:45 AM

Breakfast and check-in

9:45 - 10:00 AM

Alan Karras & Shane Carter - Program Introduction

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Topic: History of Utopian Thinking

Speaker: Jesse Sponholz

Exact title and talk description, TBA

12:30 - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 - 4:00 PM

Topic: Imperialism and Decolonization in Africa

Speakers: Devin Leigh & Michelle Rose Mann

Exact title and talk description, TBA

Saturday, May 31

9:30 - 10:00 AM

Breakfast and check-in

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Topic: Post-World War II Dam-building & Environmental History

Speaker: Brenna Miller

Exact title and talk description, TBA

12:30 - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 - 4:00 PM

Spacing out History: Chronology and Sovereignty from Asia to Outer Space

Speaker: Phillip Guingona

This talk explores how how medieval and early modern Asian polities shifted from an unspoken “system” of overlapping and intertwined sovereignties into an imperially-driven treaty-enforced understanding of strict borders and absolute citizenship. It leverages this exploration of pre- and post-Westphalian notions of space to help us approach territorial disputes, governing cyberspace, and exploring outer space today with more humility and creativity. By venturing into these evolving relationships with space over multiple centuries, this talk also subtly undermines some chronological imperatives that instruct our teaching.

Topics

Professional Development topic page

Where: The Institute will be held at the NEW ORIAS office, at 2111 Bancroft Way, fifth floor.

When: See the agenda to the left for daily schedule information. Please arrive during the breakfast and check-in period or at breaks.

Registration: Register via this form. You will get an immediate notification that your information was submitted, followed by a confirmation.

Accessibility: This summer institute is being held in an accessible location. If you are a disabled person and need reasonable accommodations to participate they will be provided. Please contact Shane Carter at orias@berkeley.edu to make a request. Service Dogs are welcome.

Transit & Parking: The ORIAS office is served by several AC Transit bus lines and the Downtown Berkeley BART station. If you choose drive, there is limited university parking in the lot behind/below 2111 Bancroft Way, as well as just across Fulton Street. ORIAS will provide parking passes for participants who park in these lots. Alternatively, you may pay for a variety of downtown parking options.

Banway Building at 2111 Bancroft Way