Skip to main contentAll experts

Merle Eisenberg

Assistant Professor

History

Orcid identifier0000-0003-1556-5752 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Assistant Professor
    History
Want to connect?
Contact us
(opens in a new tab)

TEACHING SUMMARY

His teaching geographically spans the ancient and medieval world, with courses on World History before 1500, the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, and thematically covers disease and the environment across time and space with courses such as the History of Disease and Environmental History. Additionally, he enjoys teaching theory, historiography, and methodology for undergraduate and graduate students along with professionalization and career planning.

 

Undergraduate Courses taught at OSU

World History to 1500

History of the Present

Introduction to the Study of History

History of Disease

The Roman Empire

The Medieval World

 

Graduate Courses taught at OSU

Climate Change, Crisis, and Collapse: Environmental History before Modernity

Research Seminar: Money, Wealth, and the Economy from Rome to Modern America

TEACHING

  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to the Study of History
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    This course is an introduction to the study of history. It offers an overview of the development of the discipline, historiography, and the philosophy of history. Students learn about the methodology of history, types of historical problems, habits of thought necessary for the discipline, and methods such as research and writing. Previously offered as HIST 2013.Prerequisite(s): History major or consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    World History from Ancient Times to 1500 (H)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    This course examines the development of social, cultural, economic, and political systems from ancient times to the beginning of the sixteenth century. We will examine the growth of empires, trade routes, religions, and culture in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. This course will examine the ways in which these societies connected and made contact with each other through trade, warfare, and migration and the resulting exchange of ideas. Previously offered as HIST 2213.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Research Seminar in European and World History
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Research in selected problems in European and World history.Offered for fixed credit, 3 credit hours, maximum of 24 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or permission of instructor required.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Medieval World, 500-1500 (H)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    The society and culture of Europe, Byzantium and the Middle East, 500-1500. Emphasis on social, cultural, religious and political developments.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to the Study of History
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    This course is an introduction to the study of history. It offers an overview of the development of the discipline, historiography, and the philosophy of history. Students learn about the methodology of history, types of historical problems, habits of thought necessary for the discipline, and methods such as research and writing. Previously offered as HIST 2013.Prerequisite(s): History major or consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    World History from Ancient Times to 1500 (H)
    13 Jan 2025 - 2 May 2025
    This course examines the development of social, cultural, economic, and political systems from ancient times to the beginning of the sixteenth century. We will examine the growth of empires, trade routes, religions, and culture in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. This course will examine the ways in which these societies connected and made contact with each other through trade, warfare, and migration and the resulting exchange of ideas. Previously offered as HIST 2213.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Readings in European History
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    Historiographical and bibliographical study of special areas of European and World history.Offered for fixed credit, 3 credit hours, maximum of 24 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing or permission of instructor required.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Topics in History
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    For students interested in pursuing either a research or a reading project. Open to students in history and to others by permission of instructor. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    World History from Ancient Times to 1500 (H)
    16 Jan 2024 - 3 May 2024
    This course examines the development of social, cultural, economic, and political systems from ancient times to the beginning of the sixteenth century. We will examine the growth of empires, trade routes, religions, and culture in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. This course will examine the ways in which these societies connected and made contact with each other through trade, warfare, and migration and the resulting exchange of ideas. Previously offered as HIST 2213.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    History of Disease
    21 Aug 2023 - 8 Dec 2023
    Graduate-level work under taken in association with upper-division lecture courses. Added component ordinarily entails a graduate-level research paper or historiographical essay of substantial length.Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    History of Disease (H)
    21 Aug 2023 - 8 Dec 2023
    A global history of diseases across time. Emphasis on infectious diseases and pandemics and their social, cultural, and political effects.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Medieval World, 500-1500 (H)
    21 Aug 2023 - 8 Dec 2023
    The society and culture of Europe, Byzantium and the Middle East, 500-1500. Emphasis on social, cultural, religious and political developments.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Introduction to the Study of History
    17 Jan 2023 - 5 May 2023
    This course is an introduction to the study of history. It offers an overview of the development of the discipline, historiography, and the philosophy of history. Students learn about the methodology of history, types of historical problems, habits of thought necessary for the discipline, and methods such as research and writing. Previously offered as HIST 2013.Prerequisite(s): History major or consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Roman Empire (H)
    17 Jan 2023 - 5 May 2023
    This empire provides a historical survey of the Roman Empire from the middle of the 1st century BCE through the middle of the 5th century CE. This course covers a range of interrelated themes and issues that shaped the everyday lives of Romans, including the importance of social hierarchies within and across civil affairs and family life; the various political structures and forms of governance within the empire; the dimensions of military life, conquests and expansion; economic realities; work and leisure; and various cultural aspects including the roles of religion and philosophy.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    History of the Present (H)
    22 Aug 2022 - 9 Dec 2022
    Introduction to the study of history through the lens of current events and contemporary issues. Particular areas of focus will vary, based on instructor’s expertise, to include topics like race, gender religion, food, sports, environment, politics, immigration, mass incarceration, and/or globalization, among others. Contact the History Department for specific information for the upcoming semester.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    The Medieval World, 500-1500 (H)
    22 Aug 2022 - 9 Dec 2022
    The society and culture of Europe, Byzantium and the Middle East, 500-1500. Emphasis on social, cultural, religious and political developments.