Graduate studies for the historical weapons geek? -- myArmoury.com

Nathan Grant

Hello,

I am a long time fan of historical weapons and armaments. I love studying history and I just came to the conclusion that maybe I could take my old hobby and turn it into my vocation.

For a little background, I live in the New England region of the States. My B.A. is in Social Science and my Associates is in Computer Technology. I decided several years into my schooling that computer stuff is not what I really want to do.

I would like to study something focusing on weapons, tactics, and general warfare of the ancient world. I would be happy settling for studying early-modern (Renaissance) Europe or Medieval European History if no specific field of study for what I am looking for exists. People like Ewart Oakeshott and Prof. Sydney Anglo have made a name for themselves with studying the exact sort of thing that many people here are interested in learning about.

Does anyone know of any professors at any universities in the U.S. that focus on the sort of history that I am talking about? I would like to apply to a MA or PhD program in history somewhere where I can study this sort of thing.

It would be nice if some universities had a programs in Hoplology.

-Nate

Mike Capanelli · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 8:57 am Post subject:

You know I may have something for you! Give me a day or two so I can speak to some friends and I'll PM you the information. There is a course of study for your interests, I just can't remember the school that offers it. I'll get back to you.

Jonathan Harton · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 9:08 am Post subject:

I would be interested in any information anyone has on this topic myself. I am currently looking for graduate programs that focus on medieval and/or early modern military history, martial culture, etc.

Thanks for any help,
Jonathan.

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

Nathan: Can't really help you here but I do want to welcome you to this site and if you look at all the Feature articles, reviews,
etc ... you should find some good information about the subject.

Oh, look at the Links page also.

Just mentioning this as many people come here and go to the Forums but don't initially notice all the other content. Big Grin

Bryan Johnson · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 9:18 am Post subject:

Nathan

Norwich University offers a Masters in Military History. The offer it both online and at the campus. Norwich has a long history with the US Military. They were one of the first universities to have a ROTC program when that was incepted.

I don't know if the degree program has specific focuses. I would suggest looking them up online.

Regards

Bryan

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

Here are a couple of ideas:

Browse a&a and medieval military titles at Amazon.com. Note author information, which may include university affiliation. Even if you get only a name you can then do an advanced search with Google, etc.

Check the contact lists and bios of museum staff. I'm pretty sure I've seen Tobias Capwell's (Wallace Collection) curriculum vita or degrees somewhere. Contacting folks like him might help you identify programs. Check the Royal Armouries, Met, Art Institute of Chicago, Cleveland Museum of Art, Higgins Armory, Frazier International History Museum, etc.

To work directly with artifacts in recovery, preservation or museum settings you'd probably need an advanced degree in art history. My wife's doctorate is a dual Art History/Archaeology degree from U. of Missouri-Columbia and she specializes in the late Roman military. She has worked on military and civilian sites in Europe. So if you want to get in the dirt and work directly with artifact and/or do experimental archaeology (make stuff, study hoplology) that's one way to go. How are your language skills? You'll have to master several in this field. If you want to study the medieval period you'll most likely have to read fluently in modern French and German at least, and probably latin and the medieval variants of the modern languages as well.

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject:

You could always teach history; it is what I am considering doing (I, like you, decided "computers" isn't what I want to spend my life practicing) but the market is very tough.

M.

A. E. Birch · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:

It's my understanding you can also look into Experimental Archaeology programs. To be honest though, I'm not sure which institutions would/could offer that. I think Exeter has a program like this but I'm not sure about any school in N.A.

Randall Moffett · Posted: Fri 24 Oct, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

Being someone who is working in academia somewhat at the moment here are two ideas. Look at medieval programs and see what they offer. If they have courses on warfare, arms armour etc. Likely they'd allow some form of post grad degree on such a topic. The other route would be as mentioned before to look for a specialist that is at a University and ask them if they'd take your idea on for post grad studies. Either way it is not impossible I’d wager.

RPM

Nathan Grant · Posted: Sat 25 Oct, 2008 5:43 am Post subject:

Helen Miller · Posted: Sat 25 Oct, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Nathan,

Another option besides archaeology (you would have to get some type of training or degree in science) would be to become a historian, you can take your Social Science degree and apply it to an MA in history, specifically in applied history. You can teach at a university or becoming a lecturer to make extra money and get yourself established.

Just a thought...