Jim Loewen gives hilarious and gripping talks on topics related to Lies My Teacher Told Me and Lies Across America. He is also experienced at leading workshops for in-service teachers and students in schools of education. To have Jim Loewen speak at your community forum, school, or college:

Contact James Loewen directly: jloewen@uvm.edu

Contact either of James Loewen's agents: Speak Out! Or Keppler

Jim Loewen signs books after talking in Appleton, Wisconsin, about the Nadir of race relations, when lynchings went to their all-time high. That era also spawned sundown towns -- towns that for decades were (some still are) all-white on purpose. Appleton was such a town from c.1920 to c.1970. Now, however, some Appleton residents are taking steps to help it transcend its past and develop good race relations.

Sundown Towns Workshop

Jim Loewen gives talks and workshops on Sundown Towns. Talks on this topic are illustrated and are interesting for communities, campus-wide college venues, and banquets, etc., for organizations. Workshops are suitable for community organizations concerned about race relations, housing discrimination, "Driving While Black," etc., and for lawyer groups. They are also useful for teachers who want to help students do research on their own towns – perhaps middle schoolers who can interview senior citizens in a nursing home, or high school Advanced Placement students in the "lame duck" session after their ETS exam, or college students.

Jim Loewen's Other Workshops

My most popular workshop is sometimes titled "The Seven Deadly Sins of Social Studies Schooling," for the alliteration of course. It can also be titled "Lies My Teacher Told Me and How To Do Better." The workshop is aimed at K-12 in-service teachers and ed. students. I find this to be a good mix, better than either group alone, but have also given the workshop to each category of participants separately. College faculty in education and history have also enjoyed it. This workshop stresses going beyond history textbooks and equipping students to "be their own historians." Terms like ethnocentrism, Eurocentrism, and historiography come alive.

Almost as popular is the workshop "Practical Issues in Teaching History: Using the Web, Young Children, Projects, the Tyranny of Coverage, Dealing with Parents and Principals." This workshop begins with participants in pairs, answering two questions: what issues are most important to me to get addressed in this workshop? and what method(s) have I used successfully to turn students on to a given topic in history? I collect answers to the former; on the fly I then structure them and begin to suggest answers, sometimes asking for suggested answers from participants.

Owing to the reception accorded myf history book, Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, I have developed two workshops. One, for staffs of museums and historic sites, tells the importance of facing the past squarely, suggests ways to do so, and gives examples of institutions that have flourished, not shrivelled, as a result. It is titled "Telling the Truth on the Landscape: Why and How to Do It." A second workshop, "Visiting and Creating Historic Sites," is aimed at people who visit and use historic places. It shows deliberate errors and coverups perpetrated by historic sites, suggests ways to help students learn about sites before they visit as a class or individually, and gives examples of students who have told parts of their community's history on the landscape or the web.

I also offer several workshops treating more specific topics:

"Lies My Teacher Told Me About the Confederacy"
"How History Keeps Us Racist -- And What To Do About It"
"How American History Courses Make Native Americans Look Stupid -- And
How To Do Better"
"Using Thanksgiving To Teach about Native Americans"
"How American History Leaves Out Women, Gays, and Lesbians -- and How and Why To Do Better"
"Using Columbus Day To Teach Historiography"
"Teaching about Social Class"
"The Most Important Era of American History You Never Heard Of, and Why It's So Important"

Each workshop is illustrated, using an overhead projector or a computer running PowerPoint. I will get to you a small handout (one to two sheets) for duplication for each participant. I have given these workshops successfully to groups ranging from a dozen to several hundred people. Each takes at least 90 minutes, 120 minutes with increased group participation. Book-signings usually work well after workshops, because I'm funny as well as serious. They are important to me because they expose people to my ideas; they can generate revenue for your organization or nearby bookstore. They also treat audiences seriously, as mature people who consider buying books for their own education and that of others.

Reactions to Talks on Sundown Towns by Jim Loewen

"I've had nothing bad rave reviews of your lecture! Everyone was so happy, and I'm glad we had the extra books signed because people are still coming in to get them! The faculty were THRILLED with the presentation and I was very happy with the attendance." — Jean Mick, University of Michigan Dearborn, 9/2005

"I believe everyone who was present and heard your talk would agree that you brought together some half memories and some emotions we all carry along with a bit of shame that people we know could impose racism on our communities. We need these reminders and we are all appreciative of the work you have done to bring the lowdown on Sundown Communities to us. We can only hope that your work will help to also bring the curtains down on this phase of our history." — Kate Ostrom, President, Puget Sound Association of Phi Beta Kappa, 11/2004.

"Your presentation was inspiring and challenging — perfect." — Elise Fillpot, Director, Bringing History Home project, Iowa, 10/2005.

"Thank you for the stimulating conversation at lunch and throughout the day with students. In fact, the conversation will continue here at HPHS with about 30 teachers buying Sundown Towns at the reduced price offered by your publisher." — Casey Wright, Social Science Department Chair, Highland Park High School, Highland Park, Illinois, 10/2005.

"The faculty in attendance were really thrilled with your presentation and were using it as an example of the 'kind of events we should have more of.'... It was definitely one of the highlights of the fall semester in terms of extracurricular opportunities for students, faculty, and staff." — Christine Lally, County College of Morris (NJ), 11/2005.

"We were delighted to have you as our key luncheon speaker... Your story is riveting, your presentation was compelling, and the importance of this neglected history is clear to everyone who hears you." — Jack Boger, Prof. of Law, University of North Carolina, 1/2006.

"Your talk was absolutely wonderful and stimulating. Our University community benefited greatly from your insightful words about the history, politics, and practices of racism across the country and, moreover, in our very own neighborhood." — Isis Semaj, Provost's Office, University of Maryland, 10/2008.

Read Some Reactions to Talks and Workshops by Jim Loewen

"People are still talking about all the information you gave." - Dana Emmons, Woodstock Historical Society, 4/1/96.

"I was quite overwhelmed by the great response of both students and faculty to your lecture - it seems to me that neither group, as a whole, gets excited very often, especially with regard to anything remotely academic. Your lecture was not only eye-opening, but entertaining as well. I greatly appreciated your talent for captivating and educating an audience at the same time." - Amy Myers, undergraduate student, Lectures and Forums Coordinator, South Dakota State University, 12/97.

"You were such a sensation. Everybody wrote appreciative comments on the evaluations. People thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. We are indebted and want you to come again." - Jane Latour, New York Labor History Association, 5/98.

Likes: "It gave me some ideas I can use in my class." "Passionate speaker who feels strongly about his material. I learned things I had not been familiar with." "Very informative but never overbearing." "It made me think." "Enthusiasm, content." "The honesty and humanity of a scholar whose book title prepared me to expect a demagogue." "Very enlightening." Dislikes: "More time!" "More time for questions." - anonymous feedback, New England Teachers Conference, 11/95.

"Your presentation based on your book Lies My Teacher Told Me made a major contribution to the series' success, drawing an audience of 221 people. . . 63 copies of your book were purchased that night. They have since had several requests to bring you back to northeast Ohio. . . Members of my staff who were in attendance gave your presentation full marks for both educational and entertainment value." - Judy Knuth-Folts, Acting Chief, Interpretation and Visitors Services, Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, Ohio, 2/97.

"I want to personally thank you for a GREAT presentation last Saturday. I have heard nothing but rave reviews. Because of you the conference was a super success." - Diane Balduzy, coordinator, New England Sociological Association, 4/97.

"My students are still talking about your talk and the difficult issues you raised. You've made my class discussions richer for the rest of the semester." - Thomas Connors, Professor of History, University of Northern Iowa, 3/99.

"I just wanted to thank you again personally for the energy and congeniality you brought to your Charlotte Latin visit. It was great for the History Department to take center stage for a couple of days, and you provoked probing thoughts on the part of many students that would not have occurred in the context of normal history classes. You stimulated a conversation about interpreting history that will continue long after your departure." - Mike Weiss, Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, NC, 9/97.

"This lecture, overall, was terrific! I especially enjoyed his outline of 'the seven deadly sins of teaching.'" "It made the book come alive. . . We could see how he had come to write the book." "His humor." "Dr. Loewen is a tremendous speaker and the lecture was fantastic." "Dr. Loewen has really opened my eyes to the inaccuracies I learned in history classes." - Education students at the University of Illinois, Chicago, 4/97.

"Fascinating and disturbing. . . . You have given me a great deal to think about and have put a lot of things into far better perspective for me. I wish you had taught in my high school." - Carla Auchterlonie, after workshop, 1997.

"Thank you so much for making our fourteenth Dortch Lecture such a success. Many in the audience commented on your wonderful presentation, both content and delivery, and I agree with every positive comment." - Gayle Fripp, Asst. Dir., Greensboro Historical Museum, NC, 11/98.

"Yours is still the best-attended lecture to date." "Thank you for being the speaker at our Fall 1999 Convocation. Your talk was exactly what I hoped it would be--intellectually challenging and stimulating. You presented your points in an engaging and humorous manner which was well received by our faculty and staff." - Keith McFarland, President, Texas A&M University, Commerce, 9/99.

"Thank you so much for coming to Commerce. Your visit has begun conversations that will lead many students and educators in this area to read your book. I believe your book to be one of the most important written in this century." þ Wyman Williams, local business owner, Commerce, TX, 10/99.

"It was a pleasure having you visit San Jacinto College Central. Faculty and students alike enjoyed your presentation. The only complaint we received was that you were not here long enough!!" - Kathy Knapp, Associate Dean of Student Life, San Jacinto College, 9/99.

"You fired people up! All last week students came up and thanked me (?!) for your speech." - Karen Wong, Skyline College, CA, 10/99. And 11/22/99, "Weeks later students thanked me for organizing your visit, but really the thanks all go to you for your stimulating lecture and for your generosity."

"Your talk was informative, compelling, accessible, entertaining, scholarly þ now, it's rare that "scholarly" and "entertaining" or "scholarly" and "accessible" appear in the same sentence. . . . Your books sold like hot cakes; I must admit that I was surprised to see so many undergraduates purchasing books that were not required course readings." - Lori Dance, Prof of Sociology, U of MD, 12/99.

"I want to thank you so much for coming - your conversation had a real impact on the participants (including us facilitators), and resurfaced several times over the next couple of days. . ." - Linda Mizell, "Rethinking the Teaching of Slavery" Institute.

"I was surprised at some of the folks who came to 2-3 sessions and said things like 'could have listened to him forever' or 'love the blend of humor and information.'" - Jean Moule, Professor of Education, Oregon State University, 11/99.

"You really had an impact on my student teachers with the workshop on the seven deadly sins of social studies. It was a powerful and influential presentation." - David Hicks, Secondary Social Studies Education, Virginia Tech, 3/2000.

"Many participants have commented on both the substance of your presentations as well as on the wit of the presenter! We enjoyed the evening as much as we benefitted from the information provided." - Greg Vandal, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, Minnesota, 3/2000.

"You made our conference a big hit." - Jerry Benson, President, Minnesota Council for the Social Studies, 3/2000.

"Comments about your presentation have been without exception enthusiastically positive albeit very general. Following is a sampling of written responses: 'Wonderful and very informative - entertaining too.' 'Extremely interesting and informative.' 'Outstanding! Very interesting and important!'" - Tom Formicola, Ford Hall Forum, Boston, 3/2000.

"I cannot even begin to describe the impact you have had on our community over the last few days. Teachers of all subjects have told me that they could discuss nothing else in their classes since Friday night. The response has been overwhelming - I think you touched an important nerve in the community. You have a remarkable ability to discuss issues of race and class in a way that brings people together and opens a dialogue rather than opening old wounds." - Brad Bates, St. Andrews School, DE, 4/2000.

"Your presentation on lies you've found across America was a major contribution to the series' success, drawing an audience of 275. More importantly, it attracted a specific audience we would not have been able to reach otherwise." - Jennie Vasarhelyi, Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, OH, 4/2000.

"Thanks so much for delivering a very engaging workshop. The evaluations were excellent and 2 or 3 teachers commented that they would like to have had an even longer workshop with you." - Gray Fitzsimons, Lowell National Park, 5/2000.

"Your remarks were exactly on point - and delivered in such a witty way. You model the very qualities you espouse for all of us: a commitment to the discipline, talent in communicating to lay audiences, and having something important to say!" - Carla Howery, President, District of Columbia Sociological Society, 5/2000.

"You were a smashing hit!!! By far this year's banquet was the best of the nine banquets held and it was due in no small part to your wonderfully animated talk. I heard nothing but glowing comments about your remarks from students, Dave Smith, our principal, and parents." - Jim Percoco, author, A Passion for the Past, and history teacher, West Springfield, VA, high school.

"We were delighted with the response from the incoming class to your book as the First Year Book. Further, we enjoyed your talk and the resulting discussions it ignited." - Ron Hammond, Assoc. Dean of Students, Colby College, 9/2000.

"Professionally and personally, I came away [from your lecture] with more clarity about what I do in the classroom and with my own life as a citizen. Your statement about what is our role in social studies education, 'to bring the future of America into being,' is something I have striven for but have never been able to articulate clearly.... I would like you to know that in Wyoming some new sparks of social studies education have been fanned." - David Peterson, Lecturer in Secondary Education, University of Wyoming, 10/2000.

"Thank you for presenting at the 2000 California Home=Education Conference. The conference was our most successful to date with an attendance of over 1600 people. The evaluations revealed that the attendees were delighted with your workshops and would like to see you invited back." - Barbara David, 1/2001.

"Thanks again for the two GREAT talks on the Western New England campus last week; we've had nothing but rave reviews from those in attendance!" - Beth Elam, Western New England College, eelam@wnec.edu, 3/2001.

"It was a great pleasure to meet you last night and to hear your lecture in Lanigan Hall. It was by far the most fun I've ever had in that room!" - Ranjit Dighe, Professor of Economics, SUNY-Oswego, 3/2001.

"We have never had a scholar so well received." - Linda Whitley, Pinellas County Public Schools (FL), 8/2007.