Interested in getting involved in undergraduate research in History but don’t know where to start? You might try applying to work with one of these faculty members who could use some help with a current research project.
To apply, you must be a current History major. For each credit hour for which you register (up to a maximum of three), 20 hours of work on the project will be expected. You’ll be supervised and mentored by the faculty member to whose project you’ll contribute.
How to Enroll in a "Help Wanted" Independent Study (Undergraduate Research Assistantship)
Help Wanted – New Opportunities!
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARH ASSISTANT, to work for a book on American history. Professor Joan Cashin is writing a book on the Shelby family of Kentucky, from the Revolution through World War One. She is seeking a student who can do research in primary sources, such as federal census returns, and secondary sources, such as scholarly articles and books. The book will cover political, social, economic, military, and diplomatic history. The assistant should work a minimum of seventy (70) hours during the term and enroll in History 3191 for at least two credit hours. Please contact Professor Cashin at cashin.2@osu.edu.
COLD WAR SUPERHEROES AND NATIONAL SECURITY (1950s-1980s)
Seeking one or more motivated students with analytical skills, eye for detail, and willing suspension of disbelief. You will be reading comics (mostly Marvel, with some additional also-rans no longer under copyright) and coding the major themes of stories to track how superhero fiction channeled Cold War anxieties and popular conceptions of U.S. power. Copies of the comics will be accessible as digital files, and work can be done remotely for 1-3 credits depending on student commitment and availability. In conversation with the faculty member, student will learn basics of historical research, textual analysis, and general overthinking about cultural products. The goal of the project will be to use comics as a medium to understand how popular literature conceptualized Cold War threats and heroism in line with the expanded role of the United States in the world after 1945. Interest in United States history, the Cold War, and/or pop culture desired, along with good organizational skills and ability to recognize subtext. To apply, send letter of Interest and Resume/CV, with pertinent history courses or other experience noted, to Professor Joseph Parrott, parrott.36@osu.edu. Application review begins immediately.
ANTI-APARTHEID, ANTI-COLONIAL ACTIVISM IN UNITED STATES (1960s-70s)
Seeking one or more motivated students with good listening and typing skills to transcribe and annotate oral history interviews on anti-colonial, anti-apartheid, and anti-war activism. The interviews are digital files, and work can be done remotely for 1-3 credits depending on student commitment and availability. In conversation with the faculty member, student will learn basics of good interview preparation and conduct. Depending on interest level, student may also conduct primary research in historical databases and potentially oral histories with local activists. The goal of the transcriptions will be to prepare oral histories for archiving in digital database. May be taken Spring Term, 1-3 credit hours. Interest in United States history and oral history research desired, along with good listening, typing, and spelling skills. To apply, send letter of Interest, with pertinent history courses or other experience noted, to Professor Joseph Parrott, parrott.36@osu.edu. Application review begins immediately.
LESBIAN FEMINISM IN THE 1970S: Seeking a History major to analyze and annotate grassroots lesbian feminist periodicals from multiple regions, including the Midwest and the South. In conversations with the faculty member, students will develop a working knowledge of the debates and political conversations among lesbian feminists in the 1970s and identify these in the periodicals they analyze. Students will also use the e-databases to locate material and then request that material from archives and libraries for inclusion in the research project. Some working familiarity with academic database searches would be preferable, but the faculty member is also willing to train students in these skills. May be taken for 1-3 hours credit during May Term, Summer, Autumn, or Spring. To apply, send a letter/email explaining your interest and what you would hope to gain from this experience to Professor Daniel Rivers, rivers.91@osu.edu. Application review begins immediately.
THE HISTORY OF HOMICIDE IN AMERICA: Seeking one or more History majors to conduct primary research in historical newspapers or newspapers on microfilm. Most of the work will involve Ohio since 1959, but other options include reading newspapers from colonial Pennsylvania or 19th century Philadelphia. May be taken during May Term, Summer Semester, or Autumn for 1-3 credit hours total. To apply, email Professor Randolph Roth, roth.5@osu.edu, and make an appointment to speak with him in person.
INDIGENOUS LITIGANTS IN COLONIAL PERU: Seeking a History major with skills in reading Spanish and cursive writing to transcribe primary sources in Spanish. May be taken during May Term or Autumn Semester for 1-3 credit hours. To apply, send grades in Spanish courses to Professor Alcira Dueñas, duenas.2@osu.edu.