From precontact archaeological sites and Holocaust archives to NBA legends and maritime disasters, SEMO’s Department of History and Anthropology is home to faculty whose work is published by leading academic journals and presses and their students benefit directly from their deep knowledge and passion.
“Whether you're drawn to precontact archaeology, European history or the American frontier, our students learn from faculty whose expertise is nationally recognized,” said Dr. Adam Criblez, interim chair of the Department of History and Anthropology. “Our faculty are publishing new research, contributing to national conversations and involving students in that work.”
Bringing the Past to Life
Dr. Jennifer Bengtson, professor of anthropology, studies precontact communities in the North American Midwest. Her recent work, including a 2024 book chapter titled “Mississippian Geographies of Fertility”, examines gender, space, and family structures in the context of an important archaeological site right here in southeast Missouri. Her research has been published in journals such as World Archaeology, Forensic Genomics, Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine and the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
Her expertise is not only shaping scholarly conversations, it's shaping student experiences. SEMO undergraduates regularly work alongside Dr. Bengtson on fieldwork and lab analysis, gaining real-world experience in archaeological research. Her team also works with local and regional law enforcement agencies on decades old cases involving unidentified human skeletal remains. Under Dr. Bengtson’s supervision, SEMO anthropology students have assisted in solving 10 cold cases, the most recent in July 2025.
Published Voices in Modern History and Culture
Dr. David Cameron’s research explores modern European history, Soviet-era policy, and Holocaust studies. His recent article, Fighting Unemployment the Soviet Way, was published in the Journal of Eastern European Economics. He also contributed to Global Perspectives on the Holocaust with a study on local collaboration in Nazi-occupied Galicia, offering students a model for using history to address complex ethical and political questions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Criblez brings modern sports and cultural history into focus. His most recent book, Kings of the Garden: The New York Knicks and Their City (2024), was published by Cornell University Press. He has also written extensively about the intersections of race, gender and fandom in basketball and baseball in journals such as NINE and the Journal of Sport History.
History on the High Seas and Underground
Dr. Eric Clements specializes in maritime and mining history, writing about everything from the Titanic’s heroic captain to the ghost towns of the American West. His books — USS Constitution: A Midshipman’s Pocket Manual and Captain of the Carpathia — were published by respected international presses, while his articles appear in the Mining History Journal and Journal of the West. Clements’ blend of narrative and research brings historical storytelling to life for his students.
Dr. Steven Hoffman specializes in public history and historic preservation. His articles and collaborative National Register of Historic Places nominations highlight how SEMO students actively partner with local organizations to conduct historical research, interpret cultural heritage, advance preservation efforts, and foster community storytelling.
EXPLORE HISTORY & ANTHROPOLOGY
Other faculty contributions include:
- Dr. Yingkun Hou, who explores global tea culture and its role in daily life in China.
- Dr. Courtney Kisat, whose research into social welfare reform has appeared in such publications as the Kentucky Register and Missouri Historical Review.
- Dr. Joseph M. Snyder, a routine contributor to world history journals and textbooks, is a specialist in Classical Mediterranean Studies, African history, and British imperialism.
- Dr. Frank Lacopo, whose recent publication in The Sixteenth Century Journal examines roles of papal power and the relationships between Catholics and religious minorities in early modern Italy.
- Dr. Dustin Gann, whose recent book chapter discusses the lasting influence of the Missouri River on the development of Kansas City and Omaha.
“We’re looking for students who are curious, who ask questions and who want to dig deeper,” said Criblez. “If you’re eager to uncover the stories behind the evidence, challenge accepted narratives, and engage directly with the past, this is the place for you.”
At SEMO, students are never far from expert guidance. Whether writing a paper, conducting archival research or participating in archaeological digs, students in the Department of History and Anthropology benefit from close collaboration with faculty who are not only knowledgeable but are contributing new knowledge to the world. At SEMO, history isn’t just taught—it’s written.
To learn more from the experts in the Department of History and Anthropology, visit semo.edu/history-anthropology.