Dr. James Whitfield

Off today

Assistant Professor · History & Political Science

Architectural historian specializing in the Chicago School, Art Deco skyscrapers, and the relationship between building technology and urban form. Teaches World History and Tall Buildings.

BIGH101 HIST101 HIST201 HIST-290 HIST401 HIST403 HIST405

Contact & office

🏢 Merrick Hall 402

Office hours: Mon 1:00 PM-3:00 PM · Gilman Hall 408 | Wed 10:00 AM-12:00 PM · Gilman Hall 408 | Fri 3:00 PM-4:30 PM · Virtual (Zoom)

College

Ph.D. History — University of Chicago (2016)

M.Phil. Architectural History — Cambridge University (2012)

Family

Youngest of four; father a railroad machinist. Married to a national park ranger.

Spouse: Ruth Whitfield, a national park ranger

★ Fly-tying

Teaching now — HIST-290

Last #35 · The American Experiment: Revolution to Republic ↗

Current #36 · Modern Democracy, Polarization & the Information Crisis ↗

Next #37 · Children & Adolescence: From Mini-Adults to Protected Class ↗

Recommends

Chronicling America — Library of Congress ↗

Reading list

Nature's Metropolis ↗

William Cronon · from the syllabus

The Warmth of Other Suns ↗

Isabel Wilkerson · from the syllabus

Lonesome Dove ↗

Larry McMurtry · fiction

Field

Architectural history, Chicago School, Art Deco period, building technology and urban development