Working Historians

History Speaker Series with José Ernesto Peláez and Doctoral Programs in History

In this History Speaker Series event, José Ernesto Peláez discusses his research and his experience transitioning from the online Master of Arts degree program in History at Southern New Hampshire University to an in-person doctoral program in History at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Additional topics for discussion include the decision to pursue a doctoral degree, applying to programs, expectations of students in doctoral programs, and strategies for researching and writing history.

History Speaker Series with Kristen Engel and Henrician Spectacle

In this episode, Kristen Engel discusses her experiences in a graduate program at the University of Connecticut and her dissertation research, which uses courtly spectacle to examine the portrayals of political and cultural ideals in the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII, which led to political and cultural transformations in early Tudor England. She teaches history at Southern New Hampshire University and is the editor-in-chief of “The Court Observer” for the Society for Court Studies.

Should I Go to Graduate School (MA or PhD) for History?

Rob keeps the gang together to answer the question often posed by history majors: Should I go to graduate school in history? Eric Greisinger, Allison Millward, CB Repass, Matt Schandler, Ryan Tripp, and Rob discuss the magnitude and consequences of the decision to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees in history, share some of their grad school experiences, and muse about whether or not their degrees were worth the time and energy.

 

Speaker timeline:

01:16 - Matt Schandler
12:21 - Rob Denning
29:49 - CB Repass
31:21 - Ryan Tripp
33:36 - Allison Millward
36:02 - Eric Greisinger
37:26 - Allison Millward
39:49 - Eric Greisinger
40:12 - Rob Denning
41:10 - CB Repass
42:16 - Ryan Tripp
44:11 - Rob Denning
47:00 - Allison Millward
47:41 - Eric Greisinger
48:39 - Allison Millward
49:30 - Ryan Tripp
49:53 - Rob Denning
50:42 - Eric Greisinger
51:08 - Ryan Tripp
51:53 - Allison Millward
52:27 - Rob Denning

Learning History: Sara English - Graduate Student, Eastern Illinois University

Sara English is a graduate assistant and Vice President of Public Relations for the Graduate Student Advisory Council at Eastern Illinois University. In this episode we talk about Sara’s efforts to find out what career-related resources and opportunities exist for graduates of MA History programs.

Resources:

American Historical Association “MA in History” Community (requires AHA membership)

Patrick Callaway - Doctoral Candidate, University of Maine

Patrick Callaway is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maine and an instructor at Southern New Hampshire University. Here he discusses his historical interests such as the United States Constitution and the early American economy, his work in a variety of history careers, and life in a history doctoral program.

This episode’s recommendations:

Fort George in Castine, ME (http://castine.me.us/welcome/history/history-of-castine/)

Peaky Blinders on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/80002479)

The book and film versions of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series (http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-sharpe-books/)

Historian David Blight on the Slate Political Gabfest (http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/gabfest/2017/11/the_manafort_indictment_the_tax_bill_and_david_blight_on_john_kelly_and.html) 

Christina Lamoureux - Ph.D Student, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Christina Lamoureux is a graduate of the Master of Arts program in History with a concentration in public history and is starting a Ph.D program at University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Here we talk about her background, the history of prostitution, and the evils of bowling. 

Steven Green - Ph.D Student, University of California, Santa Cruz

Steven Green is a graduate of the M.A. History program at Southern New Hampshire University and is about to start a doctoral program in history at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Here he discusses his academic background, the Ph.D application process, and the important decisions that go into that process.