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Meet Brian Bockelman

  • Ph.D., in History, Brown University
  • A.M., in History, Brown University
  • A.B., in Religion, Dartmouth College

Hi! I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska (about 25 miles from Prof. Matzke!) and did my studies in New England and abroad before coming to Ripon in 2008. I am a specialist in Latin American history (Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, etc.) but also teach a wide variety of courses at Ripon, from historical methods to the history of cartography to the history of the modern world as seen through the evolution of soccer, the global game. Someday I’ll get brave enough to offer a class on Japan, a side interest ever since a high school friend moved there. My research and writing focus on the intellectual, cultural, and environmental history of modern Argentina, which has some surprising similarities to our country, especially Chicagoland and the greater Midwest. These days I live in Madison with my wife Emma (a history professor at Northern Illinois University), son Teddy, and annoying cat Basia.

If you would like to learn more about my scholarship or other professional activities, feel free to peruse my CV.


Icon for: What’s the best advice about teaching you’ve ever received? Don't hide your thought process -- show it.

What’s the best advice about teaching you’ve ever received? Don’t hide your thought process — show it.

Icon for: Briefly tell us about a significant experience you've had at Ripon. Working with students to develop and run a class that didn't exist before but they always wished they could take.

Briefly tell us about a significant experience you’ve had at Ripon. Working with students to develop and run a class that didn’t exist before but they always wished they could take.

Icon for: What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you? I have to study for class too.

What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you? I have to study for class too.



Recent News Updates

National Endowment for the Humanities

Ripon receives $150,000 NEH grant to strengthen humanities throughout the region

A project to strengthen the humanities at Ripon College through regional collaboration has received a $150,000 Humanities Initiatives for Colleges and Universities grant from the […]

Brian Bockelman

Brian Bockelman awarded residential fellowship at Harvard-owned research center

Brian Bockelman, professor of history and interim director of strategic initiatives, has been awarded a residential fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard-owned estate, museum and […]

man named brian with brown hair and beard

Brian Bockelman contributes chapter to new book about mapping nature

A book with a chapter by Professor of History Brian Bockelman made “The Shortlist” of readings recommended by The New York Times on Dec. 3, […]