Dear History Students,
Although a little later than normal, I and the other members of the Department would like to welcome you back to campus.
Under the cover of another email, you will find information about our Mandatory Meeting of All History Majors, which will take place this coming Thursday, August 29th, in Lean Lecture Hall. This message is more of a welcome and a includes a few notes about changes in the Department of History.
FACULTY
As you probably remember, last year we conducted a search for a new historian of East Asia to replace David Gedalecia, who taught Chinese history and civilization with distinction at the College since 1971.
Well I am pleased to announce that this fall Margaret Ng has joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of History and will teach classes on Chinese History, the history of medicine, the Family in Chinese History and others.
She will be joined in the New Faces Department by Jeffery Parker who will be visiting us this year as our Latin American historian.
We also welcome back to campus Professors Madonna Hettinger, Shannon King, and Ibra Sene.
You also have a new chair this year. Me, Jeff Roche.
COURSES
You’ll notice a number of new (and relatively new) courses being offered this year under the History rubrics we added last year.
Under the rubric of History 101: An Introduction to Historical Study, we’re offering courses “The Family in Chinese History” this fall.
Under the rubric of History 201: The Craft of History (a writing course that helps prepare students for Junior and Senior I.S. with an emphasis on the critical skills of the historian) we’re offering courses on “Latin America and the United States” and in the spring: “Medieval Environmental History,” The Body in Chinese History, and “Race, Sex, and Empire.
Under the rubric of History 202: Historical Workshop (a quarter-credit introduction to the theory and practice of a particular historical methodology), we’ll be offering a course on “Historical Documentary” in the spring.
We have two offerings this fall under the rubric of History 275: Studies in History (an upper-level topics course): “Latin American History in Film” and in the Spring “Iranian History and Cinema.
And finally, we’re offering two seminars this fall: ”American Business History” and “Race, Crime and Punishment in the U.S. since 1860”. This spring we will offer ”The World in 1900” and “Writers of the Great War. “
I hope you have a chance to check out these courses. For more information, including course descriptions, check out the History Website at http://history.voices.wooster.edu/Courses.
HISTORY EVENTS
There will be lots going on soon: the Junior I.S. Workshops (required of those enrolled in Junior I.S. in the fall) starting in the second week of the semester, Café Bob—the History Department Roundtable, visits from outside scholars, the Fall History Picnic & Croquet Match (September 11th), and more. We’ll announce events as they come, but you can take a look forward by checking out the History Calendar (available directly on Google calendar by following the link to https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=b0r6mk5th8k7j0q7872n6r9kjo%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York).
The History Calendar is also available on the History Department Website (at http://history.voices.wooster.edu). Remember that the History Website also has all variety of Department news: course descriptions, office hours, updates on alumni, and much, much more. If you haven’t already, subscribe to email or Facebook updates from the blog to stay up to date on History news. As always, we will use the History email listserv for important announcements.
We look forward to seeing you soon in our classes and our offices. We wish you all the best for a great start to the year!
Jeff Roche
Associate Professor of History
Chair, Department of History