Joseph Cope

Professor of History
Erwin 217G
(585) 245-5449
cope@geneseo.edu

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.

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Joe Cope

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

  • HIST 301: Topic: Hist of Everyday Life

    This is one of two required skills-based seminars in the History major and is focused on critical reading and analysis. This class introduces students to the concept of historiography, which includes the critical assessment of the methods and sources that historians use in fashioning an argument, the contexts that inform historians' approaches to understanding the past, and comparisons of different historians' conclusions about similar topics. All sections will focus on a specific set of historical issues and/or events chosen by the instructor and class content emphasizes critical reflection on the variety of historical interpretations that are possible within a given topic. This class is reading and writing intensive.

  • HIST 440: Topic: N. Ireland & Troubles

    This course focuses on an in-depth study of a particular topic in European history. Topics could be defined either by time, space or theme. The World Wars, nationalist movements, and the scientific revolution are possible topics areas that might be offered.