Master of Arts in History
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The Master of Arts in History degree extends students' expertise in the discipline by effectively preparing them to
apply their skills in a variety of professions and contexts. Students deepen their knowledge of the process of "making"
history, through analyzing primary and secondary sources, evaluating historiography, applying research methods,
defining and researching a specific area of history, and effectively defending and articulating theses. Students have the
option of exploring history through traditional coursework, focused on research and writing, or by investigating subjects
pertinent to public history, such as understanding the latest technology for preserving and digitizing history. Emphasis
is also placed on strategies to keep the student on the cutting-edge of the field, such as using quantitative reasoning in
historical analysis and information systems to promote the dissemination of meaningful interpretation of the past.
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Browsing Master of Arts in History by Author "Chan, Christopher"
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Item Backwoods cures: An exploration of Southern Appalachian folk medicine(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-07) Perry, Katherine E.; Berrios, Katherine E.; Denning, Robert; Chung, Yun; Chan, ChristopherThe people of the Southern Appalachians have a unique culture all their own. An important component of this culture can be observed in the manner in which these individuals chose to combat that enemy of all mankind: disease. A beautiful amalgamation of cultures including Cherokee, Scotch-Irish, and other European ancestries is present in this region and exhibited through the rural remedies utilizing a rich local pharmacopeia and magico-religious folklore related to healing. However, the people of the Southern Appalachians, while geographically isolated, did not exist in a vacuum. Exciting discoveries of local primary sources demonstrate the employment of contemporary medicine in tandem with what was available locally. This project also examines the utility of virtual museums. Together with the research on the subject of Southern Appalachian Folk Medicine, the research on virtual museums culminates in the creation of a digital exhibition using the Omeka exhibit building platform. This exhibition can be visited at the following link: http://backwoodscures.omeka.net (Author abstract)Item Dan Sickles: Disregarded Hero of the Battle of Gettysburg(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-07-17) Gray, James Robert; Denning, Robert; Chan, ChristopherDan Sickles has been regarded by many historians as a political general who was a buffoon and led his troops into harm’s way at Gettysburg for personal glory. This paper examines Sickles’ early personal history, why that history has led historians to examine Sickles in a critical fashion with a historical lens, and why Sickles has been disregarded as the true hero of Gettysburg. Sickles was a lover of women causing him to perhaps have an affair with his mother-in-law, visit prostitutes, introduce one prostitute to the Queen of England, and ultimate to murder his wife’s lover in a rage that allowed him to be acquitted on an insanity defense. Sickles entered the Civil War looking to redeem his reputation and develop a military hero role for himself. Gettysburg would allow him the opportunity for that role, but events and his own future behaviors would prevent historians to view him in the role of hero. General Daniel Sickles has largely been criticized for his positioning of his troops on Day Two of the Battle of Gettysburg. However careful review of his personal history, his military experience prior to Gettysburg and his actions during the battle are all consistent with a general who correctly interpreted the situation and moved to prevent a Union defeat at Gettysburg. This paper will examine his early development as a politician, the murder of his wife's lover and entry into the service in the attempt to recover his reputation. The paper will review the effects of prior military actions he was involved in including the Peninsular Campaign, and Chancellorsville that influenced his actions at Gettysburg. Finally, the paper will examine his actions at Gettysburg, the effect on the Confederate attack, and prove the conclusion that General Sickles correctly positioned his troops and prevented a Union defeat.Item Edwardian stereotypes, social propaganda, American women in the military, and the Great War(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-07-11) Needham, Jimmy Lee; Chan, Christopher; Irvine, RobertThis is a research paper performing an in-depth examination of the power of Edwardian stereotypes and social propaganda and the lack of their effect upon American women's ability to serve in the military and military related service during the Great War. This is a worthwhile project that is of great historical importance not only to academics but of general historical interest to the public in general. Current historiography on either World War One or women’s issues lack a synthesis and cohesion that this paper will address through original scholarship and research of primary documents and examination of secondary works by academic historians versed and knowledgeable in their particular disciplines. This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of America’s involvement in this worldwide conflict. Women's service in the Great War and how it was and was not affected by the constrictive but rapidly changing social mores of the Edwardian culture is a relevant but unexplored topic. This will be an examination of primary and secondary sources that reveals the lack of recognition of resistance to the influence of the stereotypes by these women in historiological and academic research and literature.Item Fort Laramie A Historic Guide to the West Historic Buildings Guide(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-02-03) Wayland, Andrew; Denning, Robert; Chung, Yun Shun Susie; Chan, ChristopherFort Laramie National Historic Site in southeastern Wyoming recalls the days of the frontier period of the West (1760s to 1890s). From 1849 to 1890, the military fort at Fort Laramie was an important center of diplomacy, trade, and warfare on the Northern Plains. Many of the most important and vivid figures working to expand America passed through Fort Laramie. Trappers, fur traders, missionaries, overland emigrants, homesteaders, cowboys, soldiers, and Plains Indians all had an impact at Fort Laramie. Through various media resources, Fort Laramie’s history is told and one of the most important aspects of this history, the physical historic structures is only briefly touched upon. The historic structures are just one of the many focal points that can be concentrated on during a typical visitor experience. A qualitative analysis into the archival documents through the Fort Laramie Library & Archive, Fort Laramie Interpretation Cache, interviews with National Park Staff at Fort Laramie and interviews with local historians are able to be compiled into a Historic Buildings Guide that fully explore the historic structures at Fort Laramie which are a significant part of its history.Item Love and marriage(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-07) Balais, Joseph Anthony; Denning, Robert; Chan, ChristopherMost recently, the Trump Administration has taken a hard stance against the North Korean regime, against their nuclear build up, threats to other nations like Japan and South Korea, launching missiles, with nuclear capabilities towards and over the Sea of Japan, and showing a behavior that is considered unprofessional and dangerous. Some of the questions that the audience should be asking themselves before reading this, “how we got here as an international community, who were the leaders, past and present, that shown their commitment to peace and defense for South Korea, and over the course of history between these two nations, the United States of America and South Korea, how have relations improved and prosper, with obstacles and challenges as well?” Throughout this literature piece, you’ll find the information in a chronological fashion, helping you as the reader to better understand how the Korean War happened and how both western nations became partners that would last for decades and well into the future, not just with both governments, and militaries, but how American and Korean culture made their ways towards communities in America and in South Korea. Majority of the sources used throughout came from the Southern New Hampshire University Online Library, and others, came throughout the internet. (Author abstract)Item The rise of der Führer: the sociopolitical environment of interwar period Germany and the Hitler cult(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-09) Hollaway, Ashley Paige; Denning, Robert; Chan, Christopher; Irvine, RobertThe presented thesis sought to discuss the cult of personality that surrounded Adolf Hitler and was functionally part of the Führer myth during the interwar period through a sociopolitical lens. In doing so, it addressed the public image of Hitler as he transitioned from simple orator to the head of the fascist Third Reich, through the use of propaganda and charismatic authority. Hitler had tapped into a völkisch belief in a heroic leader that predated the First World War and the distrust of the Weimar Republic and the agents of democracy that had, in the mind of many Germans, stabbed them in the back and surrendered them to hostile forces at the end of the war. (Author abstract)Item Slavery, Christianity, and the Exodus from the Black Church(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-02-06) Hunter, Paul; Denning, Robert; Chung, Yun S.; Chan, ChristopherThe purpose of this thesis is to address the issue of African Americans leaving Christianity and finding solace in religious ideologies which do not represent the same Judeo-Christian and democratic values that traditionally have been espoused in this United States of America. From examining the material that is available on slavery, its association with Christianity in the United States and the western hemisphere, and information on alternative ideologies being embraced by African Americans, the intention of this research is to show that the exodus was in part due to the link be Christianity and slavery in the United States. In addition, it will be shown that African Americans are finding alternative religious and philosophical ideologies more favorable because they are addressing the needs of African Americans. Some of the religious organizations that African Americans are gravitating to outside of the realm of Christianity are making those disenchanted with Christianity believe that their alternative religious ideologies are more in line with their African ancestry. Along with this, the thesis will present some of the main arguments for and against Christianity. This aspect of the project will include the use of scriptures which from the Old and New Testament showing the biblical position on slavery and perspective on conduct to be afforded to others in and outside of the Christian faith. Afterwards, this thesis will provide the cost of having a presentation conducted at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. And lastly, there a summary will be provided along with information about the online presentation that will contain highlights of the project.Item The French Modern State: Realizing the Shift in Architecture, Art, and Society in the 19th Century(Southern New Hampshire University, 2017-11-16) Lorenz, Dorothy Marcelle; Denning, Robert; Chung, Yun Shun Susie; Chan, ChristopherThe 19th century in Paris France is best known today as one of the most influential, industrial, and modern periods of the modern era. Its art was changing the way the art scene moved and how art was displayed and sold. Artists like Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, were some of the painters that helped this evolving art culture that forever changed the way art was viewed and expressed. Looking at the art helps us to see parts of the past that have long been forgotten or overlooked. What most don’t see is that the historiography of the 19th century leaves out important connections to the art, architecture, and science of Paris France. Gaps can be seen in the research regarding the architecture, art, and technological advances that were taking place during 1830-1899. This analysis will look to answer questions regarding connections made to the art and architecture of 19th century Paris France. In respect to the archival arrangements that are at the Art Institute of Chicago, there will also be a public program made for this project whose target is students ages 14-18 years in age. This public project will teach them about the connections that can be made to art history and the changing architecture of Paris.Item “They did not feel like the Enemy”: German prisoners of war in Michigan(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-09) Runk, Abigail; Denning, Robert; Chan, ChristopherSeventy years after the end of World War Two, many topics concerning the United States’ involvement are rarely discussed. One of these topics is the German Prisoner of War (POW) camps that dotted the United States from 1942-1945/46. The United States began transporting POWs to the United States due to pressure from its Allies in Europe. Allied camps could no longer house captured troops. Land and economic food supplies within Allied camps were lacking, due to the British being unable to financially supply these necessities. With misgivings, due to the proximity to the American people, the United States began to erect camps. Approximately, 378,000 prisoners of war arrived from the European theater. Of those, 4,000-5,000 prisoners arrived in Michigan to begin a process of becoming economic laborers. Viewed as workers, according the residents, these men did not feel like the enemy. These laborers, though prisoners, allowed Michigan to maintain its economic stability. Utilizing unpublished letters, contemporary newspaper articles, personal interviews, National Archive records, and secondary sources, it is possible to review how the camps and the prisoners in Michigan were viewed. These camps followed the confines of the Geneva Convention. However, escapes still happened from the camps. Despite these instances, without the prisoners during the war, Michigan’s economy would have suffered due to the lack of farming crops. Without these prisoners, Michigan civilians would have been unable to realize the average German soldier was not the same enemy as a Nazi. (Author abstract)Item Trans-Appalachian America and the National Road(Southern New Hampshire University, 2018-07) Boyd, Edward L.; Denning, Robert; Chan, ChristopherFollowing the Revolutionary War, the British ceded the Northwest Territory to the United States. This territory was the land north and west of the Ohio River to the Mississippi. The territory corresponds to the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and an eastern portion of Minnesota. With Britain controlling the Great Lakes to the north and Spain to the south and west, this remained a landlocked territory whose only access to the eastern seaboard was over rugged mountain trails. In 1784, George Washington wrote of the need to link the western territory to the eastern states. He proposed an improved road to link an eastern river with the Ohio. Washington’s vision was accomplished as Congress enacted legislation during the Jefferson Administration for this infrastructure project. In 1811, work began at Fort Cumberland on the Potomac River in Maryland. The road conquered the mountains and reached the Ohio River in 1818. Originally known as the Cumberland Road, the National Road was eventually extended to Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana and finally Vandalia, Illinois in 1837. The federal funding and oversight of the road faced challenges from narrow readings of constitutional authority. Proponents of the road resorted to alarmist rhetoric, portraying the road as necessary, even vital, to prevent the nation becoming divided and separated by the mountainous terrain. This paper will evaluate the alarmist rhetoric in relation to the potential threats of disunion. Primary and secondary sources will be used in an ethnographical analysis of western culture and nationalism to demonstrate that the western settlers were patriots. The threat of disunion was used to justify federal control and funding for the National Road. (Author abstract)