Faculty Research

Untold History of Panama's Successful Enslaved Resistance Detailed in 'African Maroons' Book

Associate Professor Robert Schwaller's book titled “African Maroons in Sixteenth-Century Panama: A History in Documents” details how, from the 1520s through the 1580s, thousands of enslaved Africans fled captivity in Spanish Panama and formed their own communities.

The bay of Portobelo, from the viewpoint of the 17th century Spanish fort (built by enslaved Africans) that looks upon hills housing the likely site of Santaigo del Príncipe, was the first community established by former maroons after their peace with the Spanish. Photo by Robert Schwaller.

Drinking in Tradition: A Short History of Izakaya

Professor Eric C. Rath's latest article for Sake Times provides a history of how sake gave rise to Japan’s famed and unique gastropubs.

Japanese posters lining wall of gastropub

Clash of US Empire and Indigenous Peoples of Black Hills Chronicled in ‘Myth-Mapping’ Article

Professor Elaine Nelson's latest article, “‘No where to be found’: Myth-Mapping, Empire, and Resistance in the Black Hills Country, 1800-1860,” explores how 19th-century Americans viewed the Black Hills of her home state of South Dakota, while diminishing the history of Indigenous people in the area.

Elaine Nelson

Video Games Shape How Americans Understand Historical Events

Professor Andrew Denning's article “Deep Play? Video Games and the Historical Imaginary" explores the role video games have in shaping players’ interest in history.

Back of heads of military soldiers

History and Evolution of Sushi Chronicled in 'Oishii' Book

Professor Eric Rath's new book 'Oishii: The History of Sushi' is the first of its kind written in the English language.

Sushi

Publications

  • Book cover. Title reads "Oishii." Subtitle reads "The History of Sushi." Author Eric C. Rath.

    Oishii: The History of Sushi (2021)

    Eric C. Rath

  • Book Cover. Title: "Beyond Pearl Harbor: A Pacific History." Edited by Beth Bailey and David Farber.

    Beyond Pearl Harbor: A Pacific History (2019)

    Beth Bailey & David Farber (Co-editors)

  • Book cover. Title: "Crack: Rock, Cocaine, Street Capitalism, and the Decade of Greed." Author: David Farber.

    Crack: Rock, Cocaine, Street Capitalism, and the Decade of Greed (2019)

    David Farber

  • Book cover. Title: "The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Force from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom." Author: Adrian R. Lewis.

    The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Force from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom (2018)

    Adrian R. Lewis

  • Book cover. Title: "Japan's Cuisines: Food, Place and Identity." Author: Eric C. Rath.

    Japan's Cuisines: Food, Place and Identity (2016)

    Eric C. Rath

  • Book cover. Title: "Familiar Strangers: The Georgian Diaspora and the Evolution of the Soviet Empire." Author: Erik R. Scott.

    Familiar Strangers: The Georgian Diaspora and the Evolution of the Soviet Empire (2016)

    Erik R. Scott

  • Book cover. Title: "Debating Sex and Gender in Eighteenth-Century Spain." Author: Marta V. Vicente.

    Debating Sex and Gender in Eighteenth-Century Spain (2020)

    Marta V. Vicente

  • Book cover. Title: "Fat: A Cultural History of the Stuff of Life." Author: Christopher E. Forth

    Fat: A Cultural History of the Stuff of Life (2019)

    Christopher E. Forth

  • Book Cover. Title: "The Republican Reversal: Conservatives and the Environment from Nixon to Trump." Authors: James Morton Turner and Andrew C. Isenberg.

    The Republican Reversal: Conservatives and the Environment from Nixon to Trump (2018)

    Andrew C. Isenberg (Co-Author)

  • Book cover. Title reads "Khartoum at Night." Subtitle reads "Fashion and Body Politics in Imperial Sudan." Author reads "Marie Grace Brown"

    Khartoum at Night: Fashion and Body Politics in Imperial Sudan (2017)

    Marie Grace Brown

  • Book cover. Title: "Géneros de Gente in Early Colonial Mexico: Defining Racial Difference." Author: Robert C. Schwaller. Image of colonial Medical family, father playing instrument, daughter dancing with dog, and mother watching.

    Géneros de Gente in Early Colonial Mexico: Defining Racial Difference (2016)

    Robert C. Schwaller