The History of the

Trinity College History Department    

[1945-1946]  [1954-1955]  [1962-1963]  [1969-1970]   [1990-1991]  [1999-2000]

Trinity College History Department: 1954-1955

    Although the History Department of 1954-1955 was still focused primarily on European and American history, especially by today's standards, although it had evolved greatly since 1945-1946. In particular, two trends occurred: (1) like Trinity, itself, the History Department had grown rapidly in terms of the number of  faculty and the number of seniors, who were majoring in history; (2) the History Department was starting to include non-western history courses in its curriculum.  The History Department of 1954-55 was a dramatically different animal than today's department. The requirements to graduate with the major were much fewer than today's 12 course major. Of the eight professors in the department, all specialized in European or American history.   Nonetheless, Professor Black's 341 course - the History of Latin America - at least widened the scope Historical study within the department, by including  a "non-traditional" field of history. The department would have to wait thirty-five years, though, for a Latin American specialist to be hired. Additionally, a 300 level History of Russia course was offered, and two International Affairs courses were offered, as well as, a Contemporary World Affairs course, which was taught by Professor Shaw.

What could one find in the History Department?

    The History Department was large in 1954-55. Out of 220 total graduating seniors, which was a remarkable increase from 1945-46, 47 were History majors.   That is not reflected in the faculty, however, where only eight out of a total of 82 faculty were in the History Department.  Interestingly, the History faculty were grouped, in the year book, with the Economics and Government faculty.  No doubt this reflects the strong ties between those disciplines, ties perhaps stronger back then, than they are today.

   History major requirements:

    Four courses in the Department beyond History 101-102, including History 201-202, 203, 204 and 401 or 402. The qualitative requirement of History 203,204 may be satisfied by examination with permission of the instructor.

 

    Categories of courses:

There was only one non-Western course taught.  All other courses were US or Western oriented.

    Summary:

    In conclusion, while the history department of 1954-55 was not as diverse, nor as large, as today's department, one can see that the seeds of the later growth and broadening of the department were sown during this period. This period should be evaluated as a transformative time for the history department at Trinity College.

What is the History Department like at:

Wesleyan        Yale         UCONN

Quotes: 

Please watch Professor Borden Painter describe the additions of professors in the non-Western fields in the 1950s.