It looks like this is going to be an intense year for me when it comes to conference travel. I've been accepted to five so far, two of which will be taking me to Europe, and there are another two about which I'm still hoping to hear soon. What sort of conference travel are you hoping to do this year yourself? What has been the busiest year for you so far?

So I got solicited by a pretty respectable press last week. They want to review my dissertation for publication once it's finished, sometime this summer. It's a bit odd though, it's a good press, but their focus is not really on what I do, so I'm a bit surprised that they're interested in me.

I'm going to speak to them next Tuesday. Any advice from those who have published?

Question: is history on the decline as an undergraduate major?

I'm at an SLAC and we have seen significant declines in our history majors since 2008, presumably as students who might have otherwise majored in history fell victim to pressure to major in something viewed as more marketable. I've heard similar anecdotes from colleagues at other institutions and from the OAH/AHA. Nobody really collects timely or accurate information on undergraduate history majors on a national basis, so all we have to work with is the data for degrees awarded annually, but there does seem to be a significant decline in play nationally.

If this is the case, what can we as historians do to better explain to undergraduates that it's OK to major in history? How do we convey the merits of historical training beyond the typical "look at all the different jobs the AHA says you can get with a history major!"

Does anyone know of a department that is going exceptionally well in recruiting undergraduate majors that might serve as an example?

I should find out this month if I've gotten into the PhD programs I applied to. I am also interviewing for a salaried job out in the "real world." The stress of uncertainty is compounded by the fact that I could potentially say no to or walk out of a safe but (comparatively) lucrative to go chase the dragon of academia. Would I be crazy to go back to school if life is offering me actual, tangible money?

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that California cannot require good cause to get a concealed pistol license, essentially laying the foundation for mandatory issuance of permits to persons not legally disqualified from owning a gun.

Political issues aside, the court relied heavily on DC vs Heller to reach their conclusion, which is one of the most beautifully written pieces of historical research on gun ownership and the Second Amendment I have seen. The current gun rights debate in this county keeps coming back to historical theory and fact, and regardless of your opinion on the matter, it's a fascinating thing to watch, and is a great example of how history is interpreted, and how it affects modern life.

I am in the last year of undergrad and one of my history professors approached asking if I was interested in going to grad school (which I am). He then told me to check out the new Early American Studies program which he is the director stating that I would be a good fit.

So my question is have any of you gone this route? What's the difference between a traditional master in History and one in Early American Studies? (Obviously I am going to ask him about it but just wanted to know your experiences)