Welcome to Dr. Peter N. Stearns' blog.
The Provost Emeritus, Dr. Stearns is now University Professor in the History & Art History department.
Dr. Stearns served as Mason Provost for over 14 years, helping to oversee a period of rapid growth in enrollment, program development, and research, with concomitant attention to standards of educational quality. Expansion of global activities was an additional agenda priority. Returning to the faculty, Dr. Stearns teaches a variety of courses in history while continuing research and writing in social history, world history, and issues of academic administration.
Contact: Dr. Stearns, Phone: 703-993-4150
A civic assignment for higher ed?
American higher education is being called upon to address a formidable array of issues. Budgets and student debt loom large, along with the related challenges of improving graduation rates and embracing diversity. Other issues, including athletic complexities in many institutions, add to the mix. But current circumstances suggest the importance of adding one more basic […]
Amazon
Just a quick note on the heralded Amazon arrival in Northern Virginia. As a humanist I have to hope that any company that picked that name can’t be totally bad news for liberal education – think mythology or geography or both. But there is a broader and more serious response that warrants discussion, and I […]
A Real Path Forward for AP World History
After a recent period of deep concern, there’s some (pretty) good news for those involved with AP World History: a real chance for constructive compromise Is emerging. Over the weekend, I had written a blog designed to join many others in expressing disapproval of the proposed change in the chronology of the AP course, cutting […]
Conference on Emotions History: some thoughts about the field
We have just emerged from a conference on the history of emotions at George Mason University that Susan Matt and I organized and that drew participation from about 70 people. It was, to our knowledge, the first extensive conference on the subject in North America, though participants came not only from Canada and the US […]
We Need No More War
This little essay is partly a statement of deeply felt personal opinion, for whatever it’s worth, and partly an appeal, for those similarly disposed, for a discussion of possible action. It’s an invitation to create an urgent collective voice for peace. The recent appointments of a new secretary of state and a new national security […]
Another Take on History Learning
I’ve been teaching an honors course on the history of emotion for a few years now, and have always enjoyed both the course and the students – despite or because of the fact that few if any intend to be history majors. The year the course has been particularly lively, and it – along with […]
Why (Older Folks) Study History?
As part of a project aimed at discussing what (if anything) studying history does for wellbeing, I thought it would be relevant to ask a group of people actively engaged in a learning in retirement program (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, linked to George Mason University) what they thought. I have some experience asking, and thinking […]
Recent Posts
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A civic assignment for higher ed?
American higher education is being called...
-
Amazon
Just a quick note on the heralded Amazon arrival in Northern Virginia....
-
A Real Path Forward for AP World History
After a recent period of deep concern, there’s some (pretty) good news...
-
Conference on Emotions History: some thoughts about the field
We have just emerged from a conference on the history of emotions...
-
We Need No More War
This little essay is partly a statement of deeply felt personal opinion,...
-
Another Take on History Learning
I’ve been teaching an honors course on the history of emotion for...
-
Why (Older Folks) Study History?
As part of a project aimed at discussing what (if anything) studying...
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