This year's five-day institute will explore the Civil War from the perspectives of ordinary people—soldiers, slaves, and women—fighting, living, and dying in a nation embroiled in war. By examining the war through the eyes of those who lived it, participants will develop a greater understanding of the American Civil War's impact and complexity. Participants will join the staff of the Museum of the Confederacy and guest lecturers for special sessions, tours, and discussions, designed to aid teachers of all grade levels.

A study of the sectional conflict beginning with the nullification crisis. The course will not only examine the political, social, and economic developments in the period leading to the Civil War, but will emphasize the political thought of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John C. Calhoun.

This course will examine military aspects of the war, as well as political developments during it, including the political history of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural. The course also examines the post-war Amendments and the Reconstruction era.

This course will examine military aspects of the war, as well as political developments during it, including the political history of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural. The course also examines the post-war Amendments and the Reconstruction era.

A study of the sectional conflict beginning with the nullification crisis. The course will not only examine the political, social, and economic developments in the period leading to the Civil War, but will emphasize the political thought of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John C. Calhoun.

From the North Carolina Museum of History website:

"Explore the history of civil rights in the state from 1830 to the present. An interactive time line, a Web quest, and tips on teaching with primary sources enhance the in-depth text and historic images."

In this workshop, teachers will learn about the stories of civilians and soldiers during the Union occupation of Murfreesboro. This workshop will feature special living history programs at Fortress Rosecrans, the fortification built by the Union army after the Battle of Stones River.

Abraham Lincoln wove his words into the fabric of American history. In the 21st century, Lincoln's political language remains more contemporary than all but the most timeless of the political language of the American Founding. This course is a study of selected Lincoln speeches aiming to illuminate Lincoln's understanding of the relation of the principles of the American Founding to the most pressing issues of his day.

This course examines American strategy and operational art during the middle part of the 19th century. During the first part of the course, participants will look at the development of American grand strategy during the era of the early Republic, based on an understanding of America's place in the world, the genesis of the war with Mexico, the strategy and major campaigns of the Mexican War, and the way that Mexico prepared the generation of officers who led the armies of both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. During the second part, participants will examine the strategy and campaigns of the Civil War. Civil-military relations in a republic is a major thread that runs throughout the course.

This free weekend will feature "field trip" tours of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, focusing on techniques teachers can use to make a battlefield visit a central part of their Civil War curriculum. This event is open to all teachers and school librarians grades K–12, not just history teachers.