Meet Our Majors

Meet some of our history majors.

Yenni Gonzalez Salinas

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Major: history Minor: Latino/Latina & Latin American Studies

What was your motivation to major in history?
I've always been drawn to history classes. As a first-generation college student, I initially hesitated to major in history, concerned about its relevance to my future, especially with law school in mind. My perspective shifted after taking Professor Alexandra Puerto's course Health on the Move: Immigrant and Refugee Resilience and Professor Michael Gasper's course Pandora's Box: 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the United States. These classes were pivotal in steering me towards a history major. Health on the Move intertwined my interests in history, labor studies, and law, highlighting the health disparities faced by migrant farm workers, a result of the U.S. viewing them merely as cheap labor. In Pandora's Box, Professor Gasper encouraged us to think more critically about the U.S.'s involvement in the Middle East, prompting us to question the nature of U.S. engagement and to explore broader themes of empire, nationhood, and national identity in both the U.S. and the Middle East. Both of these courses not only honed my critical thinking skills but also provided an intellectual engagement I hadn't found in any other department. Professor Gasper became my adviser, while Professor Puerto oversaw my summer research. In learning more about the law school application process, I learned that grades, writing ability, and critical thinking skills are paramount, regardless of major. I'm genuinely pleased I chose history, a field that challenges me intellectually and keeps me captivated. This decision has also allowed me to deeply explore new interests I developed during my college journey.

In learning more about the law school application process, I learned that grades, writing ability, and critical thinking skills are paramount, regardless of major.

Can you describe your working relationship with history professors?
All of the history professors are amazing! They're always ready to meet up, whether it's to chat about academic stuff or personal matters. History professors genuinely care about you and your wellbeing. To them, you're more than just a student; you're a person who might face struggles, and they're committed to ensuring you're on the right path to succeeding in all your classes. I've worked closely with Professor Gasper and Professor Puerto and they've both pushed me and helped me achieve goals I never thought would be possible on my own. At the same time, they've made sure I'm taking care of myself and not heading towards burnout. Even though the history professors at Occidental are some of the toughest graders I've encountered, it's clear they truly want you to succeed. Earning an A on a history paper proves you're capable of taking on any writing assignment. I cherished the opportunity to learn from Professor Jane Hong in her United States Culture and Society class. She inspired me to share my insight on the material we covered, validating its importance; by the end of the semester, I saw the clear boost in my confidence. Her encouragement significantly increased my comfort level in staying in a field where women are notably underrepresented.

[To the history professors], you're more than just a student; you're a person who might face struggles, and they're committed to ensuring you're on the right path to succeeding in all your classes.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in history?
First off, if you haven't taken a class yet, go for it. You'll never know if it's right for you unless you try! If you've already taken a class but are still undecided, I'd suggest talking to an upperclassman about their experience as a history major. I had a chat with Occidental alumnus Andrez Parra ’23 about my indecision and fear of picking the wrong major. He told me he became a history major almost by accident after realizing he had enough credits to justify the major. That made me check my own course counts and, to my surprise, I was already more than halfway through the requirements. If you're still unsure, talking to a professor can help. Share your concerns or ask why you might hesitate to choose history. They're incredibly understanding and will gladly address your questions. Remember, no matter what major you end up choosing, everyone will be proud of you.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
Last summer, I participated in a research project through Occidental’s Undergraduate Research Center, under the guidance of Professor Puerto. I investigated the responsibilities of the Mexican government to its citizens during the Bracero Program Era. I argued that the Mexican government’s desire for diplomatic relations with the U.S., efforts to foster economic growth, and pursuit of racial modernization through this program unfortunately resulted in the neglect of its citizens' well-being. This was my first time conducting summer research, and honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into. But it was incredibly fulfilling. I picked up skills in navigating special collections and sourcing both primary and secondary materials. The entire journey sparked my curiosity for exploring more research avenues. This summer, I’ll be interning for the Department of Justice, where I'll collaborate with a group of historians on research for the Human Rights Prosecution Sector. For a deeper dive into the history of HRSP, check this out!

Henry Kinskey

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: history Minors: geology, Latino/Latina & Latin American Studies
Pronouns: They/them/theirs

Can you describe your working relationships with history professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?

Every history class I have taken at Oxy has been punctuated by professors who are highly invested in their students and their academic development, have created dynamic and engaging classrooms, and have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Many of the history professors at Oxy teach classes in other academic disciplines, and they carry that breadth of experience into every lecture, which has challenged me to reshape my understanding of how history can be studied.

Liberal arts gave me the freedom to experiment academically, and that freedom allowed me to form connections between distinct areas of study I am passionate about which let me imagine how I could combine those interests to shape my future.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

Liberal arts gave me the freedom to experiment academically, and that freedom allowed me to form connections between distinct areas of study I am passionate about which let me imagine how I could combine those interests to shape my future. After Oxy I see myself taking time off to build working skills that complement academic knowledge and then pursuing a degree in environmental law or public humanities.

What is the “vibe” of the history department?

If Oxy were PBS, we’d be Sesame Street.

Michelle Teh

Hometown: Hong Kong
Major: history Minor: linguistics

What was your motivation to major in history?
Honestly, I went into college wanting to study anthropology, but history was the closest thing they had at Occidental. Fortunately, a lot of the classes at Oxy are pretty interdisciplinary and some of the studies I've read use anthropological methods.

Can you describe your working relationships with history professors?
I would say I'm pretty close to the history professors, and overall, I love the department. You can tell that every professor is very passionate about what they do, and each professor in the department has their quirks and unique teaching style. I would definitely recommend taking at least one class with Professor Michael Gasper because it will change the way you look at the world. All the professors are great, though, and everything I learn in class feels super relevant to the contemporary world.

I think my liberal arts education has put me in a position where I can be very flexible about what industry I go into, which is nice in this rapidly changing job market.

What do you find most compelling about studying history?
You can't move forward without knowing the past.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
I want to be a journalist, or, at the very least, work in communications. I'm hoping to go either into the performing arts industry or environmental journalism. I think my liberal arts education has put me in a position where I can be very flexible about what industry I go into, which is nice in this rapidly changing job market.

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To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.

History Alumni

Leah Harman ’20

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Major: history; minors: East Asian Studies and Spanish

What was your motivation to major in history? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?
My path towards becoming a history major was not always obvious to me. I loved history in high school, but was actually much more focused on science. I came in to Oxy as an aspiring biology major and pursued that path for my first three semesters. Throughout that time, I felt my passion for biology waning, and while I still loved the subject, the practice was not fulfilling my intellectual curiosities. It was in Professor Nina Gelbart’s “History of Western Medicine” class when I fully realized I could study science AND engage my love for history. I came to Professor Gelbart’s class every day excited to learn, discuss and explore past discoveries. Two years later, Professor Gelbart is my major adviser and I am fully committed to studying the history of science and medicine. Her class offered me the opportunity to shift my interests, and now having had most of the professors in the department, I am so glad I chose history.

Can you describe your working relationships with history professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?
The professors in the history department at Oxy are some of the best on campus. Their excitement about what they teach is so fun to participate in and they go above and beyond to ensure their students have the resources to succeed. I have had the opportunity to work most closely with Professors Gelbart, Jane Hong and Marla Stone—three women who challenge and inspire me to learn. Hong’s “The United States in the World Since 1900,” Gelbart’s “History of Western Medicine,” and Stone’s “The Holocaust: History, Testimony, and Memory” have been my favorite classes at Occidental.

History is like a constantly evolving investigation and the more you figure out, the more interesting it becomes.”

Can you describe your senior comps project?
My senior comps project is looking at elements of masculinity within the American debate of contagiousness of puerperal fever in the 19th century. Puerperal fever, also known as postpartum infection or childbed fever, was a devastating and often fatal disease that resulted from a bacterial infection of the uterine tract following childbirth or miscarriage. Puerperal fever most commonly appeared in hospitals for childbirth or “lying-in hospitals” with crowded quarters, frequent vaginal examinations and infected medical instruments. Before what we now know as Pasteur’s germ theory of disease or Lister’s theories on antiseptic, medical professionals debated the contagious nature of puerperal fever, theorized how it spread and questioned physician culpability. I am arguing that due to the abiding gender dynamics of self-made manhood, heroic masculinity and the unacceptable nature of failure ingrained in United States society, most American doctors rejected the assertion of physician culpability regarding the spread of puerperal fever in the 19th century.

What do you find most compelling about studying history?
I think one of the most compelling things about studying history is that it challenges you to analyze and understand the world from different worldviews. It is a combination of effectively communicating your own interpretations while also grappling with the conflicting assessments of others. History is like a constantly evolving investigation and the more you figure out, the more interesting it becomes.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in history?
The history department at Oxy is truly a hidden gem. The best advice for students considering a major in history is to utilize your Oxy professors. Learn about what they study, be inquisitive and curious, go to office hours for help or just to talk things through. I can only speak from my own journey, but becoming a history major is something I am so thankful for—you won’t regret it!

A head shot of Occidental college student Bethany Widen

Bethany Widen ’21

Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Major: history

What was your motivation to major in history? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?

When I first arrived at Oxy, I wanted to explore different areas of study. I wasn’t convinced my casual love for history would be the right major for me. But a history course on the American Civil War, taught by the 2018-19 Billington Visiting Professor, Michael Vorenberg, became a transformational experience for me. From the moment I read through the syllabus, and throughout each subsequent class, I realized that every topic we studied was something I might have sought out on my own for fun. This course gave me the confidence to major in history—it helped me realize I could pursue a valuable and rigorous course of study in a topic I truly loved.

Can you describe your working relationships with history professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?

The history professors I’ve studied with are fully committed to encouraging students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills through discussion and writing. They are approachable and happy to work with students beyond questions concerning their major to opportunities such as study abroad, internships and research. Notably, I enjoyed Professor Jane Hong’s course, “The United States in the World Since 1900,” which challenged my understanding of modern U.S. history, specifically how power and race informed the United States’ foreign policy throughout the 20th century. The class also elevated my skills in using primary and historiographical sources to enhance my study of history. Equally compelling was Professor Marla Stone’s course, “The Holocaust: History, Testimony, and Memory,” which I found particularly engaging because it incorporated survivor testimony, visual documentaries, and literary narratives to examine not only the history of the Holocaust but also the ways in which history is remembered and memorialized.

What do you find most compelling about studying history?

I find history compelling because studying the past informs my perception of current events. For example, my study of the Nazi regime engenders a deeper understanding of the political, social, cultural, economic and ideological factors that can create an environment that gives rise to authoritarian power in government—a critical issue we see across the world today.

What are your plans or ambitions post-Oxy? How has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?

Currently, I’m interested in opportunities involving teaching, museum work, nonprofit organizations, politics, or government service. Once I’ve gained professional experience in a particular field, I hope to undertake postgraduate study. Through an emphasis on breadth and diversity of knowledge, my liberal arts education has provided me with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of distinct but interrelated topics. This curriculum fosters a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to analysis and research, written and verbal communication, and above all, critical thinking.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in history?

My advice is to explore different options. One of the advantages of a liberal arts education at Oxy is that you’re not locked into a course of study when you arrive. I found that experimenting with courses in various departments helped me narrow my focus in terms of what I was most interested in pursuing academically. Furthermore, I recommend that you attend the history department’s fall and spring parties—it’s your chance to gain a sense of what’s happening in the department, hear the experiences of fellow history majors, and connect with professors to get a sneak peek at upcoming courses and opportunities.

Milo Goodell ’20

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY
Major: history; minor: politics

What was your motivation to major in history? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?

It’s hard to pin down a single moment when I fell in love with history, but it certainly involved Lyrical Ballad, a used bookstore in my hometown. My Dad used to take me with him when he went to shop for presents or reading material and I would spend hours browsing the history section. I still have many books from that bookstore on my shelf at home—some of my favorites were a thick volume on the Pacific Front of WWII and the Cartoon History of the Universe. I didn’t really understand the context of Admiral Yamamoto’s daring or Martin Luther’s courage, but I loved the stories. I’ve learned to think critically about those stories and to put them in context, but the excitement I felt while searching for a new book in Lyrical Ballad has never really left me.

Can you describe your working relationships with history professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?

The history professors at Occidental have been one of the highlights of my college experience. They are all incredibly passionate about what they’re teaching, and eager to share that passion with their students. You can’t help but take away a little of that passion after taking a class with them. I still remember and will probably always remember Professor Nina Gelbart’s lecture on Charlotte Corday’s dramatic murder of Marat from my first year, Professor Alexander Day’s explanation of the limits that horses’ grain-carrying capacity imposed on the effectiveness of early states, Professor Marla Stone’s lessons on Italian Fascism and Professor Michael Gasper’s colorful class on the Iran/Iraq war. They each have left a mark on me intellectually and academically.

Have you taken part in any academic research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?

I had the chance to do research with a Billington Visiting Professor at Oxy, Professor Michael Vorenberg. It was both intellectually rewarding and great fun. I assisted him with his ongoing work on the ambiguous end of the Civil War, specifically looking into what happened to black soldiers who fought for the Union but refused to be sent west after the end of the war. Many black soldiers were sent to Fort Jefferson, a military prison off the coast of the Florida Keys, where they languished for a number of years after the end of hostilities. It was a fascinating research project, and one that helped inform my senior comps project. I'm writing about Edward Coles, the scion of one of the five great plantation families in Virginia, who decided to emancipate his slaves.

Did you study abroad?

Yes, I studied abroad in Vienna, Austria. I worked about 20 hours a week for the European Environmental Bureau, the largest conglomeration of environmental NGOs in Europe. I worked directly with one of the VPs of the organization on lobbying, research and policy-making. I wrote a speech for a member of the European Parliament and participated in a conference on clean air in Bratislava, to name some of the highlights. It was an extraordinary opportunity.

What do you find most compelling about studying history?

My favorite thing about studying history is being able to make connections—when you find little details in the writings of Robespierre that remind you of something in the Federalist Papers or when suddenly land redistribution policies in China remind you of the great fights in the Roman Senate around farmland. There’s so much information to explore, and a constantly evolving way of applying it.

What are your plans or ambitions post Oxy?

Right now, I’m interested in a career in foreign policy. I intend on taking the foreign service exam this winter, and hope to apply to the State Department or work in foreign policy on Capitol Hill.

Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in history?

Don’t feel pressured to specialize. Take classes across continents and time periods, and push yourself to find similarities and compare differences. Read with skepticism—just because a story has always been told one way doesn’t mean that way is right, or that is all there is to know.