Graduate History Research Recognized

A whole slew of History folks!  Standing, L-R: Dr. Adele Lindenmeyr, Graduate Dean; Dr. Alexander Varias, Faculty Editor; Dr. Marc Gallicchio, research advisor; Dr. Rebecca Winer, research advisor; Alexander Langer, author.  Seated, L-R: Laura Layne, Peer Reviewer; Alexandra Webster, Student Editor; James Holmes, author and Graduate Research Essay Prize recipient; Dr. Judith Giesberg, History Graduate Program Director; Dr. Whitney Martinko, research advisor.  Not pictured: Jennifer Putnam, author.

On April 29, the Office of Graduate Studies unveiled the 37th annual edition of Concept, Villanova's Graduate Arts & Sciences journal.  History traditionally has a strong showing in the interdisciplinary journal, and this year was no exception.  Three history students were recognized for their outstanding research with the publication of their papers in both the print and online editions of Concept.

• In print:
• James Holmes, "'I Trust the Gospel and All its Contents': The Disputation of Jirji the Monk and Medieval Islamic Knowledge of the Bible".  James also received the Graduate Research Essay Prize.  Dr. Rebecca Winer advised his research.
• Online:
• Jennifer Putnam, "NAGPRA and the Penn Museum: Reconciling Science and the Sacred".  Dr. Whitney Martinko advised her research.
• Alexander Langer, "Dr. No and Dr. Strangelove: Cold War Anxiety in Film, 1962-1964".  Dr. Marc Gallicchio advised his research. 

History students and faculty were also involved in the reviewing and editing process.*  Alexandra Webster served as a student editor.  Laura Layne served as a peer reviewer.  In addition, Dr. Alexander Varias served as a faculty editor.

Copies of Concept will be distributed around the department, so pick one up to see what your colleagues have been working on.  

*If I missed anyone, please leave a note below.

Congratulations to the Woodlands Researchers

Last Thursday the members of Professor Martinko’s Practicum class presented their research on the Woodlands Mansion in Philadelphia. The event drew a crowd of Villanova students and faculty, as well as a fair number of interested locals.

Nineteenth Century Print of the Woodlands Estate (Falvey Memorial Library)

Spread throughout the house and grounds, the students presented on the laborers and servants who inhabited the estate. From a variety of manuscript materials the class gave voice to the men and women whose lives were lost over time. From the stable hands and greenhouse laborers to cooks, laundresses, and house servants, the students painted a picture of an active estate and shed light on what we can learn from historic landmarks.

Hats off to Professor Martinko’s Practicum class for the hard work they put into their research and presentations of the Woodlands. I know I was not the only one to learn something about an under-appreciated Philadelphia landmark, and their efforts helped set a foundation for further research into a historic estate.

Vintage YouTube: British Pathé Uploads its Archives

On April 17, British Pathé made 85,000 historical movie clips and videos available on its YouTube channel.  The footage spans nearly a century, from the 1890s through the 1970s.  It includes anything from major news headlines, like the Hindenburg disaster and the death of Marilyn Monroe, to more slice-of-life snippets of Western culture, like a clip on a French flea circus from 1949 ("Next time, don't forget the DDT," the narrator reminds us).  The archive is also particularly strong in WWI and WWII footage.

In an interview on British Pathé's blog, Alastair White, general manager of the London-based media company, expressed his hopes that the project will bring history to a broader audience:  “Our hope is that everyone, everywhere who has a computer will see these films and enjoy them...this archive is a treasure trove unrivalled in historical and cultural significance that should never be forgotten. Uploading the films to YouTube seemed like the best way to make sure of that.”

Of course, historians recognize that while film can be a valuable source, it is also a potentially problematic one; viewers may be apt to see film as more objective, if not naked in its honesty.  British Pathé has given the world a highly valuable resource, yet its assertion that the clips should "never be forgotten" seems a vague and ambiguous goal.  Is it enough that this footage is simply out there for entertainment and enjoyment?  Is it a good first step, at least?  How can historians capitalize on it?

On a final, less serious note, YouTubers seem apt to use historical footage for inventive, entertaining purposes.  Two of my personal favorites are "Roots of Breakdance", starring Soviet soldiers backed by Run DMC, and "Hitler Sings 'The Jeffersons' Theme", which syncs Triumph of the Will footage with the theme song of the popular American TV show.  The British, coincidentally, were a bit ahead in 1941 with their comedy reel "Schichlegruber Doing the Lambeth Walk (Assisted by the Gestapo Hep-Cats)".  If there is any historical constant, it seems to be our need for humor now and again.

If you have used film footage in your research and/or teaching, please share your experiences with us.  And feel free to share your favorite historical (original or creatively modified) videos as well.

1964 New York World's Fair, 50 Years Later

To commemorate the fifty year anniversary of the 1964 New York World's Fair, the New York Times sought pictures and interviews from those who were there.

New York Times

Check out the article here to read about the memories of those who witnessed the Fair firsthand, experiencing Belgian Waffles, transportation of the future, and even an animatronic Abraham Lincoln.

The next world's fair, Expo 2015, is scheduled for next year in Milan, Italy. What celebrations of the present and future should we expect?

Possible Postgraduate Career - Tattoo Quality Control

This week's cover of Rolling Stone features Julia Louis-Dreyfus with the United States Constitution printed on her back. But there is a rather embarrassing error.

Rolling Stone

Do you see their mistake?

Need a hint? Check out this article from the Philadelphia Daily News, which includes a response from the National Constitution Center.

Villanova Students to Present Research on Local Historical Site

If you are like me, you might be a little embarrassed to admit that you do not know much about The Woodlands, a Revolutionary War era historical site right here in Philadelphia.

visitphilly.com

Fortunately, a group of Villanova grad students have been spending the Spring Semester researching the history of the mansion and grounds, as well as those who lived and worked there. On the evening of April 24 they will be at The Woodlands sharing their discoveries about the site.

If are looking for a break from research papers, this is a great opportunity to come out to support grad students and learn more about the rich history of Philadelphia.

More information about the tours here.

Are you a student participating in this research project? We would love to get a sneak preview of some of the things you have been working on.