A&M International Hosts Border Studies Professional Training Workshop

A five-day workshop aimed at providing area teachers with greater expertise in border studies will be held at Texas A&M International University June 2-June 6 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily.

"Border Studies: A Professional Training Workshop for Teachers," is co-sponsored by A&M International and the Texas Council for the Humanities, State partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The workshop is limited to 25 K-12 teachers of social studies, English language arts, English as a second language, foreign languages, art and music in Webb, Zapata and LaSalle counties, said course leader Dr. Norma Cantu, Professor of English at the University. She cautioned that only a few slots remain in this special offering.

Dr. Cantu said the course offers participants an opportunity to gain greater expertise in subject matter and direct access to exciting new humanities resources on the culture and peoples of the US/Mexico borderlands.

"This course will examine the dynamic of the border within cultural, comparative, historical and contemporary frameworks. We're going to be giving special attention to the incorporation of resources that are particularly useful to teachers in developing the practical aspects of their teaching plans. For example, utilizing the facilities here at the University, we'll be gaining experience in Internet and CD-ROM resources," Cantu explained.

Accompanying Cantu in presenting the course will be master teachers and a number of distinguished scholars in the field of Border Studies.

Those completing the workshop will receive Continuing Education (CE) credit for 30 hours of advanced training, special access to exhibits and media materials, a teachers' guide to on-line exhibits and resources, humanities publications that highlight the importance of the Border region, brochures and other publications, a free CD-ROM version for in- school use, access to library resources and a $100 stipend.

Financial support for the workshop is provided by the Trull Foundation of Palacios, Texas with matching funds from the Texas Council for the Humanities.

For registration information, please contact Mary Trevino in the Office of the President at 326 -2322.

University office hours are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu