Welcome statement of Bruce Cumings
The History Department of the University of Chicago has a long tradition of excellence. One aspect of our work is our commitment to primary sources, to the deep mining of the archives. Another is openness to theoretical inquiry and inter-disciplinary work, a focus we share with the rest of the University. A third and perhaps lesser known emphasis is this department's pioneering commitment to internationalizing the study of history. Under the leadership of William McNeill, Marshall Hodgson, Akira Iriye, John Coatsworth and others, the department developed courses and concentrations in world history, in what is sometimes called area studies (meaning the history of previously neglected parts of the world), and also probed patterns of globalization through history. As a historian of Korea and East Asian-American relations, I have been happy to try and build upon this pioneering direction, to work with the many colleagues in our department who list international history as a field, and with interdisciplinary programs like the Committee on International Relations. Any chairman of this department wants to continue and promote our long-standing practice of free and frank enquiry, among each other and in the classroom. This means keeping open lines of communication between faculty and students, encouraging good rapport, and helping new students acquire a sense of security and community. I very much look forward to beginning this work with you in the autumn.
Bruce Cumings
Chair and Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor of History
26 June 2007
Photo by Dan Dry