History

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED:

Master of Arts
Master of Science

Department of History
Stalker Hall, room 104
Phone: 812-237-2710
Fax: 812-237-7713
E-mail: history@indstate.edu

Department Chairperson: Dr. Christopher Olsen
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Richard Schneirov
Phone: 812-237-2719
E-mail: rschneirov@.indstate.edu

GRADUATE FACULTY

Professors

Giffin, William W., Ph.D., Ohio State University
Professor of History
Specializations: Race and Nationality in the United States, Indiana

Hunter, F. Robert, Ph.D., Harvard University
Professor of History
Specialization: Modern Middle East, Classical Islam, Mediterranean World

Schneirov, Richard, Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
Professor of History
Specialization: United States Labor, Gilded Age–Progressive Era, Social Movements

Associate Professors

Chirhart, Ann, Ph.D., Emory University
Associate Professor of History
Specializations: Twentieth Century United States, United States South and African American; United States Women

Hawkins, Timothy, Ph.D., Tulane University
Associate Professor of History
Specializations: Latin America, Central American Independence, Imperial Spain

Olsen, Christopher, Ph.D., University of Florida
Chairperson and Associate Professor of History
Specializations: Antebellum United States and Civil War, United States South and Comparative Slavery, Political Culture

Assistant Professors

Clark, Daniel A., Ph.D., Purdue University
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: United States Intellectual, Cultural, Public

Fischer, Christopher J., Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Germany and France, European Regionalism, Cultural History

Foster, Anne L., Ph.D., Cornell University
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: United States Foreign Relations, Southeast Asia, Imperialism

Land, Isaac E., Ph.D., University of Michigan
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Britain, Atlantic, Modern Europe

Nichols, David A., Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Early America, Native American, Antebellum United States South

Phillips, Lisa A., Ph.D., Rutgers University
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Twentieth Century Labor, African-American, Women

Skinner, Barbara J., Ph.D., Georgetown University
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Russia, Eastern Europe, Christianity/Church

Stofferahn, Steven A., Ph.D., Purdue University
Assistant Professor of History
Specializations: Medieval and Early Middle Ages, Ancient World, Women in Europe

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM

The University began offering graduate degrees in history in 1965. Areas of study now include United States history, European history, and history of the wider world (focusing on Latin America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean World).

GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The master’s degree programs in the Department of History are designed to fulfill a variety of academic and professional objectives. Graduate programs prepare students for entry into doctoral programs and for teaching at the university, community college, and secondary levels. Graduate work in history also provides an excellent background for careers in law, theology, business, social work, politics, government service, journalism, and writing, or for specialized work as a museum curator, librarian, archivist, editor, historic site specialist, or research historian.

The master’s degree programs in history are sufficiently flexible to permit students to develop courses of study tailored to meet their individual needs. Fellowships and teaching/research assistantships are available to qualified students on a competitive basis. Interested students should contact the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible to apply for these positions.

The University library provides facilities for research in a wide variety of archival sources and in periodical and newspaper collections. Special collections include the Eugene V. Debs Collection of papers and documents dealing with the American labor movement. The University library is also a United States government depository library.  Cooperative agreements with other major universities in Indiana, the Center for Research Libraries, and the Educational Research Information Center extend the scope of the University’s research potential, as does an extensive inter-library loan operation.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting general admission requirements to the master’s programs of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, applicants for admission to the Department of History should have a bachelor’s degree in history or a related discipline.  The Department welcomes applications from students who have previously specialized in related subject areas and who show promise of sustained and self-disciplined work in history.  Students not meeting all requirements for admission may be admitted conditionally and allowed to make up deficiencies. In addition to the University’s requirements, applicants must send a short writing sample and two letters of reference to the Department of History.

Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction with Concentration in History

In cooperation with the College of Education, the Department of History offers a concentration in history as part of the graduate programs in curriculum and instruction.  For admission and program requirements, see the program listing in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology, and contact Dr. Susan Kiger (812-237-2960 or skiger@indstate.edu).  For requirements in the history concentration, contact Dr. Christopher Olsen (812-237-2710 or history@indstate.edu).

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