Robert Schoone-Jongen, 
Assistant Professor, History
(616)526-6395
rps2@calvin.edu
Office: Hiemenga Hall 483
Weekly Schedule
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Educational background
B.A., History, Calvin College
M.A., European History, University of Kentucky
M.A., U.S. History, University of Delaware
Ph.D., major field: 19th century U.S. social history, minor field: 19th century Western European social history, University of Delaware
Research and professional interests
There are three historical themes that Prof. Schoone-Jongen finds fascinating: human migration patterns, the definitions people give themselves and place upon others, and the manner in which events are interpreted both at the moment and after the fact. The specific historical contexts upon which he concentrates are immigration to the United States through 1920, the American presidency, and the impact of religion on everyday lives.
Recent activities
Prof. Schoone-Jongen is currently researching and writing about Dutch immigration to New Jersey since 1850 as well as keeping up with trends in teaching social studies in secondary schools. This past summer he co-directed a National Endowment for the Humanities high school educators’ workshop on the Protestant Reformation titled "Making Sense of the Reformation."
In June he attended the biennial conference of the Association for the Advancement of Dutch American Studies and presented a paper on the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913. In October he will be leading a workshop on teaching secondary level geography at the Christian Teachers’ Association convention in South Bend, Indiana. An article entitled “St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, Newark, Delaware: The Building and the Symbol (1842-1957)” is scheduled to appear in Delaware History this winter.
Life outside of Calvin College
"My hobbies are stamp collecting (Central Europe and the late British Empire) and railroads. I am planning a new model railroad layout and ride trains as often as possible. I enjoy watching old television shows (Barney Miller, WKRP, etc.), attending the performances of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Grand Rapids Opera Company, and following the Minnesota Twins. Currently I serve as the president of the council at Calvin Christian Reformed Church and sing in the choir."
Other information
Prof. Schoone-Jongen, who taught high school history for 27 years before coming to Calvin, is the advisor for secondary education in history and social studies.
See a partial list of Bob Schoone-Jongen's publications.
