Mary K. Faulkner
Ph.D. Candidate in Early Modern History
"The Penn State Department of History offers a highly personalized education for its graduate students. Working closely with my advisor, Joan Landes, I have been able to individualize my curriculum and work toward the completion of a dual degree in early modern history and women’s studies. Graduate students are encouraged to take seminars in other departments, and a number of programs such as the Center for Early Modern Studies and the Institute for Arts and Humanities offer workshops, lectures and conferences showcasing current trends in interdisciplinary research. In particular, CEMS has hosted two recent symposia “Monstrous Bodies/Political Monstrosities in the Early Modern Period” and “Europe Observed: The Reversed Gaze in Early Modern Encounters.” Events such as these give students an opportunity to interact with visiting scholars and to enrich their own research interests. The Penn State History Department is a dynamic and supportive community with many resources to offer its students."