History Class Recommendations

Introduction to Asian American History (HIST-1155): Of course, as someone who studies Asian American history, this class is a given must-take. I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to come from the same background as the subjects in a course in order to gain something from it – there’s something in this class that will appeal to anyone. From politics, to gender, religion, legal codes, or economics, Professor Azuma tailors this class in a way to excite everyone. This class changed my life, it’s what made me into a history major and dedicate my time at Penn to research. While it might not have such an intense effect on you, I guarantee you there will be a moment where you find yourself asking more questions. Lean into that curiosity and see where it takes you!

African History Before 1800 (HIST-0300): If I could give anyone a prize for best lecturer, it would be to Professor Babou. Every class I was mesmerized by the cadence of his voice, not to mention the incredible depth of the field he knew and the fascinating material itself. I was astounded by my ignorance of African history and how many intersections I see with communities elsewhere in the world. If you need to complete the history and tradition requirement, this is a strong class you must take!

Introduction to Korean Civilization (HIST-0860): In high school, we spent one day talking about the Korean war and that was the end of any discussion of Korea. It doesn’t even matter if you’re Korean or not, there is something to learn in any history course that can broaden your understanding of humanity and the present moment. Korea was a melting pot of culture, religion and exchange throughout the 20th century, so you’ll notice how it set the backdrop for so many policy shifts across the world even outside of Asia. Professor So-rim Lee is also a cinema scholar, so they always complement lectures with clips of famous movies/dramas to generate fruitful discussions. Highly recommend!

Pacific Worlds Vietnam (HIST-2555): This is a Penn Global Seminar course, so you’ll have the chance to travel to Vietnam during the summer! Professor Dickinson is probably one of the funniest professors I’ve had at Penn, and it’s been a pleasure working with him since my sophomore year. If the opportunity to travel to Asia doesn’t excite you already, the material of this course is absolutely fascinating and gives a fantastic overview of Vietnamese history, culture, and tradition away from the prevailing narratives of colonization and the Vietnam War.

The American People, the Great Depression, and the New Deal 1929-1942 (HIST-3166): If you’re more interested in American history, I guarantee you will love Professor Cebul’s class! It was an extremely thorough overview of the U.S during the early 20th century beyond discussions of WWII, providing economic, gender, religious, political, and other riveting themes during this tumultuous era.

Also, I really want to spread the word about some amazing centers on campus that host many historical lectures! The Center for East Asian Studies, the Kim Center for Korean Studies, the Center for the Study of Contemporary China, the History Department, and the Asian American Studies Center all offer mailing lists on their websites/social media that promote events. Always be on the lookout for history-related events as they are were the coolest people are :)

-Seyoon C.