Historians Mark Navy 250 on Battleship New Jersey
Standing on the deck of a Camden landmark that has witnessed so many chapters of American history, Professors Katherine Epstein and Andrew Shankman offered insights shaped by years of studying how the past informs the present, a throughline that also defines the History M.A. program. Their work is the focus of Faculty Help Commemorate 250 Years of Military History Aboard Battleship New Jersey, which captures how this moment unfolded aboard the Battleship New Jersey.
The article highlights their participation in Navigating the Past: Histories of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–2025, a conference co-hosted by Rutgers–Camden and held on the ship. The gathering brought scholars from across the country to examine the evolution of American sea power and its place in national history. Epstein and Shankman contributed perspectives rooted in years of research, adding depth to conversations about how the Navy’s past shapes its public meaning today.
For prospective and current graduate students, the piece offers a look at history practiced in real places and at meaningful moments. It shows faculty who bring their scholarship beyond campus, who interpret complex stories at sites tied to national memory, and who demonstrate how historical training helps make sense of the world. The story reflects the department’s commitment to engaged, rigorous work at the intersection of place and public understanding.
Related to this Story:
Mastering the Past: Rutgers–Camden’s M.A. in History Program
The Master of Arts in History program at Rutgers University–Camden offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to diverse scholarly interests. Students can immerse themselves in tracks such as American history, public history, legal history, global history, and early modern history. The program emphasizes rigorous research, critical analysis, and engagement with historiographical debates, preparing graduates for careers in education, public history, and further academic pursuits. With a dedicated faculty and a commitment to intellectual growth, the program fosters a deep understanding of historical contexts and methodologies.
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