The History and Policy Education Program (HPEP) is an innovative initiative modeled after the National History Center’s Congressional Briefings program. It provides a flexible curricular model for educators to integrate into their courses, helping students connect historical insights with contemporary policy issues. By fostering an understanding of the relevance of history to policymaking, HPEP encourages civic engagement and critical thinking.

benefits of internship

Program Objectives

  • Connecting History to Policy: HPEP equips students to see the value of historical perspectives in policy decision-making.
  • Fostering Civic Engagement: Students gain practical experience by linking their historical studies to real-world policymaking discussions.
  • Collaborative Learning: Students work together to identify historical topics, conduct research, and present findings that illuminate modern challenges.

How It Works

Participants in HPEP follow a structured process:

  1. Topic Selection: Students choose a historical subject with contemporary relevance.
  2. Research: They conduct in-depth research to uncover historical insights.
  3. Presentation Development: A format is designed to present their findings effectively.
  4. Stakeholder Engagement: Relevant policymakers, educators, and community leaders are invited to the briefing.
  5. Public Briefing: Students present their findings, highlighting the policy implications.

Students in Action

  • Religious Liberty Briefing (2016): Students from the Catholic University of America, in courses on the American and French revolutions, delivered a joint briefing on the history of religious liberty in the United States and France.
  • Inequality Briefing (2017): At George Washington University, students drew parallels between Victorian Britain and contemporary issues of inequality, presenting their findings to stakeholders.

Using the Program

HPEP is designed to suit various courses and teaching styles. Educators can adapt the program to focus on specific historical dimensions of policy questions. To support implementation, the program offers a comprehensive guide that includes:

  • Overview and Learning Outcomes: A clear roadmap for educators to structure the program.
  • Practical Tips: Strategies for engaging legislators and organizing effective public briefings.
  • Resource Modules: Specialized materials on topics such as drug policy, housing, water rights, and immigration.

Resource Modules Highlights:

  1. Drug Epidemics in the United States: Examining historical parallels to the opioid crisis and applying lessons to current challenges.
  2. Housing Policy: Exploring the evolution of federal housing policy and its ongoing complexities.
  3. Water Rights and Protections: Investigating historical cases to address modern water resource issues.
  4. Immigration: Analyzing the interplay between historical immigration policies and contemporary political forces.

Success Stories from Educators

  • Victorian Britain Course (GWU): Dane Kennedy integrated HPEP into his class, culminating in student presentations that linked Victorian social issues to modern parallels.
  • American Jewish History (GWU): Jenna Weissman Joselit reflected on using HPEP to deepen students’ engagement with American Jewish history.
  • History of Philadelphia (Temple University): Jessica Roney incorporated HPEP (formerly the Mock Policy Program) into her syllabus, helping students see the practical implications of their studies.

Congressional Briefings Connection

HPEP draws inspiration from the Congressional Briefings program, which brings historians to Capitol Hill to provide nonpartisan insights on historical events shaping contemporary issues. Past briefings include:

  • Automation and the Workforce
  • U.S. Trade Policy
  • Higher Education Act of 1965
  • U.S. Infrastructure

These briefings showcase the potential of historical perspectives to inform decisions and spark meaningful dialogue.

HPEP bridges the gap between the classroom and the policymaking arena, empowering students to use history as a tool for understanding and shaping the world. Educators can access the program guide and additional resources to bring this transformative experience to their classrooms.