History Department - The College of Wooster

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History Department - The College of Wooster

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04/17/2026

Come and learn about what our Junior History majors have been working on this semester at the Junior IS poster session next Thursday! All are welcome, and food from Panera will be provided!

04/15/2026

Please join us in giving a huge congratulations to Abby, an anthropology and history double major who turned in her IS this spring!! See below for her project abstract:

Captive bonobos live within a complex system of social behaviors and networks that are inextricably tied to human care. Though a vast amount of anthropological literature exists studying captive bonobo behavior, researchers have yet to fully explore these behaviors in the context of human care, zoological practices, and socio-cultural theory. This study aims to investigate culture in captive bonobos and the impacts of human and non-human primate interactions in zoos on the welfare and socialization of captive bonobos. In my interdisciplinary Independent Study, I draw on existing anthropological and historical literature and original ethnographic research to understand how a single group of captive bonobos utilizes grooming and socio-sexual exchange. I ground my anthropological research in the historical context of Western exploitation of the great apes in vaudeville, zoo shows, and television. I analyze primary sources from the early 1920s, mid-1950s, and late 1970s that exemplify the commodification of chimpanzees and bonobos in entertainment and zoological gardens. I conduct my ethnographic research through an interview, participant observation, and visual anthropology. My quantitative methods consist of random scan-sampling, ethogram construction, and inferential statistical analysis of behavioral data. I found that my study group of bonobos spent much their time engaged in allogrooming while only a very small percentage of their time was spent engaged in socio-sexual contact. Caregivers also play a significant role in influencing animal welfare, socialization, and holistic health. My study offers insight into the social dynamics of one community of captive bonobos, and my findings highlight the importance of informed care standards in providing captive primates with enriched, healthy, and dynamic lives.

04/07/2026

Please join us this Thursday, 4/9, at 11:00 AM in Lowry 201 for a talk from second generation Holocaust survivor Debbi Sugarman on her father’s experience surviving Auschwitz and his immigration to the United States. We are excited to welcome this speaker to campus, and hope to see you there!

01/23/2026

Join the Department of History on Tuesday, February 3rd, in Lean Lecture Hall for a talk from Dr. Jeff Roche on his new book “The Conservative Frontier: Texas and the Origins of the New Right.” A Q&A and light reception will follow, and this event is open to all!

01/14/2026

Looking for something fun to do on your first weekend back? Join the history department for a field trip to the Cleveland Art Museum! The trip is free for all students, and includes a guided tour of the “Renaissance to Runway” exhibit, plus a chance to see more of the museum. Email Professor Hettinger to reserve your spot!

11/20/2025

Come to the junior IS poster session today at 11:00 in the Alley!!

11/17/2025

Come learn about what our history juniors have been doing this semester at the junior IS poster session! All are welcome, and Panera bagels and coffee will be provided! ☕️ 🥯

11/07/2025

Drumroll please… it’s almost movie night!! 🍿🎬
Join us at the lyric theater at 7 pm this Sunday to watch Kiki’s delivery service! The movie will be in Japanese with English subtitles 🌟
Popcorn and drinks are free for the first 30 students who arrive!

11/03/2025

Did you know that Wooster houses alumni Arthur Compton’s 1927 Nobel prize in physics in special collections?
History students last week spent the afternoon examining the Compton collection as part of Dr. Ng’s research into Arthur Compton, the Manhattan Project, and the complexities of Compton’s scientific career

10/27/2025

Looking for something to add to your schedule in the spring? Check out Dr. J and Dr. Leiby’s new 0.5 credit IDPT class “Just Work”!

Address

400 E. University Street
Wooster, OH
44691

Website

https://history.voices.wooster.edu/

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