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History Faculty — Dr. Douglas Richard Skopp

SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of History

Photo of Dr. Douglas Skopp I enjoy being a tour-guide with students as we visit the past. Wherever we go, the seeds and reflections of the present and the shadows of the future can be examined and explored.

The most interesting landscapes and details, I find, are those that reveal the essential qualities of human existence - both positive and negative. I see these in European history, primarily, but they can be uncovered everywhere. That means, I am still learning as I teach about history.

This has been especially true of my work with Plattsburgh State's Institute for Ethics in Public Life. My colleague's ideas and my readings on ethics have sharpened my sensitivity to the ethical choices we face - and our ancestors faced as well - at at every juncture in our lives.

Seeing how these choices have been made, seeing their consequences, and trying to learn more about why we do what we do, is, I believe, our unavoidable responsibility as human beings.

Education

  • Ph.D., Brown University, 1974. Specialization: History of Germany, Modern European History, Medieval History, History of Education.
  • M.A., Connecticut College, 1964. Specialization: Medieval Studies.
  • B.A., Dartmouth College, 1963. Specialization: History and German.

Teaching Areas

  • Modern Europe.
  • Fascism.
  • The World Wars.
  • Medieval Europe.
  • History of education.
  • Historical skills and methods.

Research Areas

  • German education.
  • The professions in Germany.
  • German medical ethics.

Recent Publications

  • Bright With Promise: From the Normal and Training School to SUNY Plattsburgh: 1889-1989; A Pictorial History (Norfolk, VA: Donning Press, 1989).
  • Contributing author, World History: Connections to Today, Gaynor Ellis, et al, eds. NJ: Prentice-Hall,1995).
  • Contributing author, The World and Its People, A. DeBeers, et al., eds. (NJ: Silver-Burdett-Ginn Publishers, 1996).

Faculty Website

Contact Douglas Skopp

Office: Institute for Ethics in Public Life, Hawkins 233B
Phone: (518) 564-5218
Email: skoppdr@plattsburgh.edu