Atlantic History Center
The Atlantic History Center is brand new at CSUN. Atlantic History has recently become a very popular approach to teaching and research. There are currently twenty universities in the United States, and one in England, in which students can earn a Ph.D. in Atlantic History. These universities include prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown. The history department at CSUN now offers an M.A. in World/Atlantic History.
This cutting-edge approach is fundamentally ocean-centered. It does not focus on the history of particular nations such as the United States, Great Britain, France, or Spain. Nor does it focus on certain nationalities such as Americans or Spaniards. Instead, Atlantic History highlights the various ways in which the transoceanic movement of peoples, goods, and ideas integrated the different regions and peoples surrounding the Atlantic Ocean. By spotlighting the history of these transnational connections, this new approach has helped to globalize curriculums in America.
Why study Atlantic History on the West Coast? Well, California is one of the most cosmopolitan regions of the United States. People migrate to our beaches and sunny climate from around the world. We have a rich diversity of peoples, languages, foods, music, and just about everything else. We celebrate diversity and migration in California perhaps more so than elsewhere. Atlantic History helps us to come to terms with the rich history of transnational connections.
The Atlantic History Center enriches the intellectual life of CSUN in various ways. Exciting new history courses have been offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Center sponsored Dr. Marcus Rediker's lecture on Pirates in the Atlantic World last fall semester. There was also a movie night and a workshop on how to do Atlantic History.
If you are interested in taking courses in Atlantic History, or if you would like more information about the award we offer or the upcoming events we will be providing, then please check out our website at the following web address: Atlantic History Center