Welcome to the FALL 2025 / Spring 2026 academic year

Welcome to the History Department

From the Chair

Spring has sprung at BCC, and the end of this semester is fast approaching. We’re excited to join the campus community on the quad on Tues, May 5 for Multicultural Day where we’ll have food representing the heritage of our department faculty and staff, and information about our fall courses. Please join us the next day for our Spring Open House where we will have games, snacks, coffee, and music to ease you into finals.

We are excited to announce the Geraldyne Pemberton Diallo Sharpe Fund which honors our late colleague. You can read more or donate to fund here.

In Fall 2026, we’re excited to offer HIS 37 African American History, HIS 44 History of the Modern Middle East, and HIS 46 The Cold War Speak to your adviser today. ~Dr. Mara Lazda

Contact Us

Main Office
Colston Hall, Rm 301
718-289-5653
history@bcc.cuny.edu

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OUR COURSE ELECTIVES

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About Us

Dr. Mara Lazda
Chairperson
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Dr. Kate Culkin
Deputy Chairperson
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Dr. Prithi Kanakamedala
Deputy Chairperson
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Ms. Paulette Randall
Administrative Assistant
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The Department of History represents a curricular tradition of more than six decades. Since classes were first offered at BCC in 1959, a History curriculum has been a central part of a student’s BCC journey. What began as American History 1, American History 2 within the Social Studies Department in 1959 has grown today to over more than twenty courses with newer ones reflecting professional changes in our fields. Our department continues to support the primary mission of Bronx Community College:

to provide students academic foundations and skills for their educational and professional futures, and
to encourage students to value informed civic engagement

Our faculty teach courses in History (HIS), Geography (GEO), and Philosophy (PHL) that contribute both to transfer curricula and to career programs.

We are committed to fostering critical thinking, a broad liberal arts education, and preparing students to engage with life within diverse, democratic societies and globalized communities.

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Tutoring

Tutoring is available for all of our History, Geography, and Philosophy classes. Our tutors Sabrina Torres, and Prof Jason Sanchez offer in person and online tutoring and are ready to work with you. Walk in and Appointments Available.

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Meet Our Faculty

Your professors are an important part of your academic journey at BCC and beyond. They are often award-winning experts in their field who research and publish widely within their scholarly specialization which includes Women and Gender Studies, Afro-Cuban History, Cold War History, New York City History, Middle Eastern History, Black Studies, Feminist Historical Geography, Eastern European History, Classroom Pedagogy, and the History of Science. Faculty can offer you mentorship, guidance, and access to professional opportunities within the humanities.

Faculty Spotlight

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Dr. Seth Offenbach specializes in the history of conservatism in the United States, and the Cold War. His book The Conservative Movement and the Vietnam War: The Other Side of Vietnam was published by Routledge Press in 2019. In Fall 2026, he will teach HIS 46 The Cold War.

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Dr. Kate Culkin‘s scholarly expertise is U.S. Women’s History in the Nineteenth Century. She is the author of Harriet Homer: A Cultural Biography. Her new book Emerson’s Daughters: Ellen Tucker Emerson, Edith Emerson Forbes, and their Family Legacy (University of Massachusetts Press, 2025) is out now.

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faculty directory

Emerson’s Daughters Longlisted for Plutarch Award

Dr. Kate Culkin New Book Emerson’s Daughters

Dr. Raquel Otheguy new book Black Freedom & Education in 19th C. Cuba

Dr. Prithi Kanakamedala on WNYC

faculty news

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Our Students

Whether you’re taking our courses for credit towards graduation, or intend to become a History, Geography, or Philosophy major at a 4-year school, we are are so proud of our students and alumni.