Robert Schoone-Jongen, 
Assistant Professor, History
Prof. Schoone-Jongen will be co-directing the 2012 NEH Summer Institute for Teachers, “American Frontiers in Global Perspective.” Find out more.
(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 continuing to research Dutch immigration to New Jersey since 1850 and has given presentations on the topic to the department colloquium, church groups, and an academic conference. (Read one on Passaic County.) He recently recorded a two minute television spot on the legacy of Theodore F. Koch, a Dutch American real estate promoter who developed about 1,000,000 acres of land in Minnesota between 1885 and 1910, which will be aired on public television stations in Minnesota.
He conducted a CALL class on Immigration to the United States during the spring semester. This summer he will lead a CALL class on the American presidency. Last fall he participated a workshop entitled "Traces of the Trade" dealing with the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, serving as a curriculum advisor to a group of secondary social studies teachers from the West Michigan area. This fall he will be leading a sectional at the Christian Educators Association conference in South Bend, Indiana.
Life outside of Calvin College
"My hobbies are stamp collecting (Central Europe and the late British Empire), the Minnesota Twins, and railroads. I am planning a new model railroad layout and ride trains as often as possible. I enjoy watching old television shows and attending the performances of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and Grand Rapids Opera Company. I attend 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.
