Truer to Ourselves: Migration in America

The history of the United States is, in large part, a story of migration. This history contains a tapestry of people who began new lives in the United States, through force, coercion, or dreams of a better future. Others found borders shifting around them. When President Johnson signed the 1965 Immigration Act into law, he proclaimed that the legislation would make us 'truer to ourselves both as a country and a people.' He acknowledged that immigration would 'strengthen us in a hundred unforeseen ways.' 'Our Beautiful America,' he said, 'was built by a nation of strangers.' In this summer institute, participants will explore the history of this beautiful nation of strangers, taking a closer look at each era and the many forces that shape immigration patterns, policy, and public response. We hope this institute shines a light on 'Our Beautiful America' and allows us to teach in ways 'truer to ourselves.' Program Objectives: Exploration of the history of immigration to the United States; Examination of the major changes in U.S. immigration policy over time; Analysis of the experiences of immigrants to the United States; Development of new pedagogical approaches to teaching immigration history.