Best program for early (17-19th c.) African American history

[bloopbloopbloop]

Hello,

 

I'm looking to transfer to a different program since my interests have evolved.  What are folks' opinions on the best programs for someone with a general interest in early African American history?  It seems as though many of the biggest names in the field have just retired or are on the verge of retirement, so what are my best bets?

[Sigaba]

Hello,

 

I'm looking to transfer to a different program since my interests have evolved.  What are folks' opinions on the best programs for someone with a general interest in early African American history?  It seems as though many of the biggest names in the field have just retired or are on the verge of retirement, so what are my best bets?

 

Does your current department allow grad students to work with academics at other schools?

[ToomuchLes]

I have similar interests Bloop. Id like to study African child slavery in 19th c. Antebellum America, and I know a few professor who, dont necessarily focus on children, but study slave families as a whole. A few names Id recommend : Brenda Stevenson at UCLA, Winston James & Jessica Millward at UC Irvine, Abosede George at Columbia (she does mostly African gender history but I have a friend studying under her whose research free African-American family roles), and Tiya Miles at U. of Michigan. These are just a few names I procured by looking at my Kindle reading list. Hope it helped tho.

[Riotbeard]

A little bit later 19th c. but obvious, Stephen Hahn at Penn plus they have Stephanie McCurry (that's also a pretty nice department in my experience doing research in Philly).  Walter Johnson and Vincent Brown at Harvard are both incredible scholars. There are good faculty at Emory, Rice, Tulane, and Vandy for history of slavery.   Not 100%, but I am pretty sure William and Mary has some people for colonial stuff.  I think Ira Berlin at Maryland no longer takes grad students, but it goes without saying, he is a leader in the field, thus worth at least looking into.  I think IU Bloomington may have a few people.  I am a big fan of Stephanie Smallwood's work, and she is at Univ. of Washington.  Duke probably has some good people, but no one specifically is coming to mind.

[New England Nat]

A word of warning about McCurry, I know she gave a job talk at Columbia this year.  I don't know how that played out but make sure she's still at Penn.

[Riotbeard]

A word of warning about McCurry, I know she gave a job talk at Columbia this year.  I don't know how that played out but make sure she's still at Penn.

 

I know some of her students.  Hadn't heard she was leaving, but I'd like to see who beats her out for the job. 

[CageFree]

Some profs give talks to up their bargaining positions at their current institutions.

[Sigaba]

Some profs give talks to up their bargaining positions at their current institutions.

 

I know of a professor who parlayed a job offer to his wife, who is an MD, into a promotion and a corner office. Some of the other professors seemed miffed but the guy was too valuable to lose.