In the first session of this two-day class, we will consider how we decide what is important history to be taught to future generations, as well as the limitations on what can be taught and who decides. Participants will work together in small groups to determine which topics should be taught in an American History program and then share their decisions with other groups. We will then discuss the problems we encountered and take particular notice of what got left out. During the second session, we will consider the social, political, economic, and practical factors that shape what we discover about history as well as what we can know, both individually, and as a culture.