Co-sponsored by the Center for European Studies and the Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia.
Registration is required for this event. Register here.
France and Russia, two countries separated by a continent, share histories of absolutist rulers, violent revolution, and colonialism. Sources of intellectual and cultural inspiration for each other, they also share complex concepts of identity and what it means to be French or Russian in their respective multi-ethnic societies. They have been both allies and adversaries in multiple global conflicts, and today are at odds over Russia’s war on Ukraine.
This 1-day teacher training workshop will help Wisconsin educators understand the current relationship between the two countries, and how their shared past as empires has shaped the modern-day identities and politics of their people and the relationship of the two regions with each other. Participants will hear from University of Wisconsin-Madison speakers knowledgeable about the regions’ legacy of empire on current events and concepts of identity – lessons that can be applied to classroom instruction on concepts of citizenship and the politics of migration in the United States.
Workshop recipients will receive a reader, visual media resources, and a certificate of completion with contact hours. The workshop will incorporate synthesizing activities that can be used in the classroom, and will address the following WI Standards for Social Studies:
- Standard SS.BH2.a.m: Wisconsin students will summarize the role culture plays in personal and group behavior. Categorize factors that contribute to cooperation and conflict among peoples of a country and/or the world (i.e., culture, language, religion, political beliefs).
- Standard SS.BH3.a.h: Wisconsin students will analyze the means by and extent to which groups and institutions can influence people, events, and cultures in both historical and contemporary settings. Become critically aware of ethnocentrism, its manifestations, and consequences in a world that is increasingly interconnected.
- Standard SS.Geog3: Wisconsin students will examine the impacts of global interconnections and relationships.
- Standard SS.Hist1: Wisconsin students will use historical evidence for determining cause and effect.
- Standard SS.Hist3: Wisconsin students will connect past events, people, and ideas to the present; use different perspectives to draw conclusions; and suggest current implications.
“Empire and Identity in France and Russia” will be of interest to teachers in a wide range of subjects, such as social studies, history, geography, politics, communication, and language arts. We welcome participation by teachers in other fields, as well as librarians, administrators, and pre-service teachers.
Registration cost (includes lunch and additional classroom resources): $35 for in-service teachers, $25 for pre-service teachers. Limited financial assistance will be available to cover hotel costs for attendees coming from outside Dane County.
Speakers
“France after the Age of Empire: Immigration, Race, and Belonging since 1962”
Emma Kuby, Associate Professor of History
This lecture will consider the legacies of overseas empire for postcolonial France. After briefly tracing the rise and fall of France’s modern imperial projects in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, Prof. Kuby will explore how immigrants from the former colonies have helped to reshape French society over the last sixty years, as the country has become home to the largest Black and most heavily Muslim population in Western Europe. By highlighting flashbulb moments of political tension over race, religion, and citizenship, as well as struggles over how to commemorate the violence of colonialism, Prof. Kuby’s talk will demonstrate how postcolonial France continues to navigate the long aftermath of its imperial past.
“Politics of Belonging in the Tsarist and Soviet Empires”
Geoffrey Durham, Assistant Professor of History
Poland, Azerbaijan, Germany, China, Greece, the United States, Finland, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Lithuania, Armenia, and Uzbekistan—these are just some of the present-day countries whose territories at one point were ruled from either St. Petersburg or Moscow. This framing doesn’t even begin to consider the many peoples without their own nation-states, such as the Buryats, Sami, Komi, or Chukchi, just to name a few. Given the staggering ethno-linguistic and cultural diversity of the Tsarist and Soviet empires, each offers a particularly useful perspective for thinking through the constitution of political communities and politics of belonging, whether in terms of subjecthood or citizenship. Prof. Durham’s talk will explore how the Tsarist and Soviet imperial regimes incorporated human diversity into their repertoires of rule, how those populations conceived of themselves, and, lastly, how these official and grassroots visions of political and cultural belonging have interacted with one another.
“Post-Soviet Russia’s issues with migration: legacies of empire, nationalism, and demography”
Ted Gerber, Professor of Sociology
The Soviet Union represented the height of Russia’s centuries-long territorial expansion. When it collapsed in 1991, Russia’s borders receded, its economy faltered, and its population shrank. Yet Russia’s government and population wished to retain great power status. Consistent with this ambition, Russia eventually became a major destination for immigrants, most of whom came to Russia from other former Soviet republics. Initially, most immigrants were ethnic Russians seeking to return to their homeland, but eventually surging waves of non-Russian labor migrants put Russia among the top three countries with the most immigrants worldwide by mid-2010s. As in the United States, immigration in Russia has benefited the country demographically, economically, and geo-politically, yet it has also produced intense internal conflicts and exacerbated inter-ethnic tensions due to nationalist anti-immigrant backlash. The lecture will provide an overview of these contradictory aspects of immigration in Russia and their broader consequences for Russia’s economy, society, and international standing.
“Engaging in the Topic: Grade Appropriate and State Standard Inclusive Activities for Students”
Carlos Romo is a dedicated and accomplished educator with over 13 years of teaching experience. He currently inspires students as an AP World History teacher at Mukwonago High School in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. A passionate advocate for social studies education, Carlos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadfield Social Studies and Secondary/Middle Education, as well as a dual Master’s in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction.
Throughout his career, Carlos has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth and mentorship, guiding educators in various roles to enhance teaching practices and student outcomes. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as he serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, where he works to promote the importance of social studies education across the state.
With a dedication to lifelong learning and impactful teaching, Carlos Romo continues to shape the future of education, empowering both his students and colleagues.