Joshua is a double-major in History and Political Science. His hometown is New York City.

What do you love most about history?

The ability to get lost inside the narratives it presents, from traveling across the world of the ancient silk road to learning about modern-day environmental history in Latin America, you can experience a large breadth of information and knowledge.

Why did you choose to be a history major?

For a few reasons, the great ratings it had overall across the school, but also the smaller more intimate classes and because I love to learn about the past and what it can teach us about the present.

What are the favorite history courses you have taken?

History 3235 Medieval Europe 300-1100, and History 4705 Seminar on Latin American Environmental History.

Do you have a favorite professor or professors? Who are they and why?

Dr. Allison Beach who has left the university but taught my History 3235 class. I thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on approach to learning, whether it be a trip to the rare book library, or even making our own ink with historical materials to replicate the process of manuscript making. She would apply knowledge in a way that was entertaining and engaging.

Also Dr. Eaglin who taught history 4705, the seminar-style of history classes is extremely intriguing and enjoyable to me as it allows for students and a professor to come into contact in-depth with the same works and speak in long-form about them. I normally am less interested in Environmental history but through this seminar-style, it became strikingly interesting.

What’s one thing you wish every Buckeye knew about the past (and/or about the history department)?

That the study of history is not just the study of random facts and dates, but the study of humanity and what it means to live life.