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World History & Literature Initiative (WHaLI)

World history is the story of changes within the human community, and in particular, the connections across time and space of humans and the various systems and patterns they construct. The World History & Literature Initiative (WHaLI) is a unique collaboration between the University of Michigan International Institute’s Title VI National Resource Centers and School of Education designed to deepen teachers’ understanding of world history, literature, and the ways in which their students learn new historical ideas.

Two-Day Workshop for History, Social Studies & E.L.A. Teachers

June 16-17, 2025
9 AM-3 PM

Prechter Lab, Rm 2202
Marsal Family School of Education
610 East University Ave


$40 Registration Fee 

(Registration will open soon)

Registration Deadline: 
June 10, 2025


For questions, contact:
Jennifer Lund
Outreach Coordinator
International Institute
II-Outreach@umich.edu

Social roles are culturally defined and vary widely across contexts and over time. Join us for WHaLI 2025 as we explore the global significance of gender and social roles in society. Michigan state standards include comparing and contrasting roles assigned to men and women in different societies. The National Council for the Social Studies emphasizes comprehensive representation of women’s stories, voices, and perspectives. Likewise, world literature includes works from various authors and historical contexts as a lens into understanding human experiences. We will explore these themes across case studies and texts set in Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa. 

This two-day professional learning experience is designed for US-based educators (including pre-service) and is open to any educator. MDE SCECH will be available.

Why attend? Participants get:

  • Standards-aligned content about important global case studies
  • Sample resources and activities
  • Free books
  • Practical pedagogical framing and support
  • Conversations, collaboration, and networking with colleagues
  • 8.5 SCECHs

Sponsors: International Institute, Center for Education Development, Evaluation, and Research, Marsal Family School of Education, Detroit River Story Lab. This event is funded in part by Title VI NRC grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

Moderators and developing team:

Michelle Bellino, Associate Professor, U-M Marsal Family School of Education (co-designer)

Darin Stockdill, Design Coordinator, U-M Marsal Family School of Education Center for Education Design, Evaluation, and Research (co-designer)