Next semester, Trinity’s history department will welcome Lauren Turek, who will be teaching a Modern U.S. History course, as well as “U.S. Diplomatic History.”

For those looking to try something different from the history courses typically offered at Trinity, these new courses will be available in fall 2015.

Turek is particularly excited about teaching the U.S. Diplomatic History course.

“The Diplomatic History course will explore U.S. foreign relations from about 1890 to the present,” Turek said. “We will look at how ordinary Americans play a role in shaping history, as well as how things like songs and movies influence people’s opinions of the U.S.”

Turek is currently finishing her Ph.D. at the University of Virginia, where her dissertation has a similar focus as the diplomatic history course.

“I am fascinated by how the United States became an incredible world superpower in such a short amount of time,” Turek said.

History department chair, Carey Latimore, is excited to welcome a new professor to the department.

“I believe that her historical training, intellectual breadth and the new courses that she will bring to the department will complement and attract new students to taking history courses or even considering the major,” Latimore said.

Turek visited Trinity earlier this year and is excited about coming to teach.

“I am so excited to meet the students,” Turek said. “I was able to teach a class and had a great time interacting and just hearing them talk and discuss the subject matter.”

Turek’s “U.S. Diplomatic History” course will be offered in the fall semester from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.