Princeton School of Historical Studies

The School of Historical Studies was established in 1949 with the merging of the School of Economics and Politics and the School of Humanistic Studies. It bears no resemblance to a traditional academic history department, but rather supports all learning for which historical methods are appropriate. The School embraces a historical approach to research throughout the humanistic disciplines, from socioeconomic developments, political theory, and modern international relations, to the history of art, science, philosophy, music, and literature. In geographical terms, the School concentrates primarily on the history of Western, Near Eastern, and Far Eastern civilizations, with emphasis on Greek and Roman civilization, the history of Europe (medieval, early modern, and modern), the Islamic world, and East Asia. Support has been extended to the history of other regions, including Central Asia, India, and Africa.

The Faculty and Members of the School do not adhere to any one point of view but practice a range of methods of inquiry and scholarly styles, both traditional and innovative. Uniquely positioned to sponsor work that crosses conventional departmental and professional boundaries, the School actively promotes interdisciplinary research and cross-fertilization of ideas. It thereby encourages the creation of new historical enterprises.

The School of Historical Studies supports scholarship in all fields of historical research, but it is concerned principally with the following: Greek and Roman civilizations, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, The Islamic World, Philosophy and International Relations, History of Art, History of Science, East Asian Studies.