Joe Cope has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 2001, advancing to the rank of associate professor in 2007 and professor of History in 2014. In his faculty role, he taught a range of classes focusing on early modern European history and Irish Studies. His published work includes multiple articles on the British Isles in the 17th century and a monograph entitled England and the 1641 Irish Rebellion. In 2005, he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Following a successful tenure as chair of the Department of History from 2011-2016, Joe assumed the role of director of the Center for Inquiry, Discovery and Development for two years. In that position, he played a key role in restructuring the office into the current Center for Integrative Learning.
In 2018, Joe joined the provost's office as associate provost for academic success, first on an interim basis and then as the successful candidate in a national search. In that role, he was involved in a number of projects connecting to student success, including piloting a first-year seminar for undeclared students and supporting a revision of tutor-training processes. Joe served as interim provost from July 2022 to August 2023, when his role changed to that of special assistant to the provost. He returned to his teaching position in January 2023.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Publications
"The Irish Stroker and the King: Valentine Greatrakes, Protestant Faith Healing, and the Restoration in Ireland," Éire-Ireland, Fall/Winter 2011.
England and the 1641 Irish Rebellion (Boydell and Brewer, 2009).
Research Interests
- The British Isles
- Early Modern Europe
- Early Modern Europe
- Social and Cultural History
Awards and Honors
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2005
Classes
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HIST 161: Top: Higher Ed in US History
This course will develop students' awareness of historical debates through an examination of selected issues, events, and problems in American history. It will take a chronological approach, addressing any time period in U.S. history.
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HIST 302: Top: Hist of Natural Disasters
This is one of two required skills-based seminars in the History major that form prerequisites for upper level classes. This course is focused on critical analysis of historical evidence and instruction in historical research methods and writing. Students read, evaluate, and critique a range of different types of primary source evidence, practice locating and retrieving reliable primary and secondary sources, and use these skills to support the crafting of historical arguments in both short papers and longer research projects. All sections will focus on a specific set of historical issues and/or events chosen by the instructor and class content emphasizes work with primary sources specific to the seminar topic. This class is reading and writing intensive.