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ProfileProfessor Thomas Balcerski is a scholar of early American history. He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from SUNY Stony Brook, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. He is author of “Bosom Friends: The Intimate World of James Buchanan and William Rufus King” (Oxford University Press, 2019). He was featured on the C-SPAN series, “Lectures in History,” for his work on antebellum political literature and is a frequent contributor for CNN and other news outlets. His research interests range from early American history to manhood and gender, and U.S. presidents and first ladies.
“I strive to teach students the contours of American history, to think critically about the past, and to conceptualize history as a contested terrain that we still navigate today. I am especially passionate about teaching the stories of people who are not always included in the traditional narrative, including women, African Americans, Native Americans and LGBTQIA+ people. Ultimately, I want students to explore their own passions, to educate them as future citizens, and to provide them with knowledge and skills that they will take with them for the rest of their lives.”
“In all my courses to date, I have approached teaching history with an eye toward illuminating more modern concerns, such as race, the environment, corporations and human rights. Accordingly, I approach each meeting as a challenge in interdisciplinary teaching. My lectures are designed to help students appreciate both traditional and unconventional sources, as well as the significance of the lives of everyday people. When teaching about African American involvement in the Civil War, for instance, I present popular literature from the period, distribute letters and diaries from soldiers and their families, and engage students with the growing number of electronically available resources. In this way, I connect students directly to the many tools used by historians in their craft.”
I strive to teach students the contours of American history, to think critically about the past, and to conceptualize history as a contested terrain that we still navigate today.
“My research focus has been on the political history of the United States, with special interest in how gender and sexuality intersect with American politics. My first book explored the personal and political relationship of 19th-century Democrats James Buchanan and William Rufus King. My new project explores the long history of the Democratic Party, America’s oldest partisan institution.”
“I truly enjoy engaging with students inside and outside of the classroom. Whenever possible, I bring students into the wider world around them, whether this means exploring Eastern’s nearby arboretum or attending a regional conference of the Phi Alpha Theta honor society at Salem State University. I especially like the synergy of teaching courses in areas that I am researching; it’s a dynamic that works very well within a liberal arts college setting.”
You have been incredibly helpful to me in my academic journey at Eastern. When I first transferred here last semester I wasn't sure about my career path or major, until the semester had really started and I had your class. Hearing the way you taught history and how passionate you were about it re-invigorated my passion for history, and you inspired me to become a history major. I will always be thankful for that.Student Quote
Professor Balcerski changed my whole perspective on history. I've been taking history since middle school, it NEVER stuck with me because we're reading out of textbooks and boring articles. Prof. B, made us outlines, made the chapters interactive and i was able to keep up with it and I actually learned. He walks us through each lesson every class session, answered questions perfectly, floor was open for class and partner discussions. I don't think i've had a better teacher in my two years here.Student Quote
