History asks fundamental questions about the nature of change over time. History is our collective memory; studying the past reveals the enormous complexity of the human experience and highlights the contingency of our contemporary world. Because no contemporary political, cultural, or economic issue can be understood outside of its historical context, History offers an ideal foundation for students interested in law, medicine, international relations, public policy, and women’s studies, as well as an intellectual complement for students pursuing science and engineering. Indeed, the history major at CWRU, as nationally, is traditionally one of the preferred preparatory paths for admission to law school. Thinking historically means learning how to frame complex problems, sift through multifaceted evidence, and develop carefully argued writing. Our students carry these skills far beyond graduation, pursuing careers in the professions, business, government, as well as advanced doctoral study.

Our department has a long and prestigious tradition that stretches back to the origins of Western Reserve University in 1826. Today, our faculty specialize in a range of thematic and regional subjects. We have a strong tradition in the study of social, cultural, legal, policy, and political history, which together constitutes a major component of our graduate program. Our other focus of graduate study—the history of science, technology, the environment, and medicine (STEM)—has its roots in Case’s pioneering graduate program in the history of technology in the late 1950s (the first of its kind in the United States), as well as its role in founding the Society for the History of Technology. Our department also maintains a strong international focus with faculty who specialize in European, Asian, African, and Latin American history.

John Bickers Quoted in cleveland.com Article

Professor John Bickers weighed in on the debate surrounding the Forrest Service’s proposed renaming of Wayne National Forest to Buckeye National Forest. Read more here.

Picture of Einav Rabinovitch-Fox

Einav Rabinovitch-Fox Contributed to the Washington Post

Professor Rabinovitch-Fox wrote a piece on the entertainment industry’s history of labor activism for the Washington Post: “‘Pins and Needles’ redux: Theater can propel solidarity and score wins for labor”

Picture of Einav Rabinovitch-Fox

Einav Rabinovitch-Fox Talked Barbie with The Daily

Professor Rabinovitch-Fox spoke to The Daily about Barbie’s complicated relationship with feminism.

Jonathan Sadowsky

Jonathan Sadowsky Quoted in Psycom Article

Professor Sadowsky was quoted in a recent Psycom article about the history of bipolar disorder. Click to read “Bipolar Disorder: A History of Demons, Humors, and Stigma.”

Picture of Einav Rabinovitch-Fox

Einav Rabinovitch-Fox Featured in Wall Street Journal Article

Professor Rabinovitch-Fox was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal article “The Summer of ‘Barbie’ Has Only Just Begun.” In the article, Rabinovitch-Fox weighs in on how the Greta Gerwig Barbie film is attempting to rebrand the Mattel doll.

Click here to read the WSJ article.

John Grabowski and CWRU History Student Sidney Negron Featured in WKYC Story about One of Cleveland’s First Gay Bars

Professor John Grabowski and CWRU History student Sidney Negron were featured recently on WKYC Studios series Turning Point. In this article Grabowski and Negron discussed the history of the Cadillac Lounge, which opened in 1946 by a woman named Gloria Lenihan and served straight clients during the day and...

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