Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation

recognizes an historian who has developed a college or university course that engages students in exploring the links between contemporary events and/or issues (“hot topics”) and the past. Courses submitted for consideration must be historical in nature, though they do not need to be within a History department if they are offered within a related department or field. 

Award: $750

Open for submissions: November 1, 2023

Deadline: February 4, 2024 

Eligibility

Applicants for the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation: 

• must have membership that is current through the award year (December 31, 2024) when they submit their application. If your membership expires prior to December 31, 2024, please renew prior to applying in order to avoid disqualification. If you are not a member, please join to gain access to the application.

• current WAWH board members are not eligible to apply. 

• may apply for the award in more than one year but may win only once. 

• must hold a Masters or Doctorate degree. 

• shall be actively engaged in teaching at an accredited college or university, and therein engaged in teaching that is historical in nature, although the course does not need to be within a History department if it is offered within a related department or field.  

Submission Requirements

Applicants for the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation must submit the following through the application portal (see green button below):

• A completed application form. 

• A copy of the course syllabus. 

• A summary of the course content, which identifies the significant contemporary topic(s) and related historical material. The syllabus and/or summary of the course content should include: 1) Contemporary sources (primary and/or secondary) used to establish the significance of the issue in contemporary society; 2) Historical sources primary and/or secondary) used to engage students in contextualizing the topic(s) and exploring the history of the issue; 3) Instructions associated with assignments—including essays, poster talks, electronic presentations, or other assignments—that reveal students’ engagement in exploring the relationship present issue(s) to the past. 

• One confidential letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor which confirms the course was taught. 

• Optional: one or more letter(s) of recommendation written by student(s) who took the course. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read about the award and the selection process in the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation bylaws. 

Disqualification: Applicants who do not meet the deadline for submission or include all the required materials will not be considered.

Questions? Ask the committee chairperson.