Farmington Faculty


Ken Orosz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor - History

Ph.D., Binghamton University
M.A., State University of New York at Binghamton
B.A., Union College

In the Classroom: Engaging Students — Setting High Academic Expectations
Ken Orosz uses his lectures not so much as one person (the professor) talking and the others (the students) hurriedly writing down everything he says. Instead, he encourages students to ask questions — lots of questions — throughout the class.

He finds this method produces an organic, lively discussion rather than a staid talk-and-listen experience. And this, Ken believes, helps his students become more engaged with the material and more interested. He says that surprisingly this kind of class discussion model, where students question the professor as well as each other, produces a much more lively, interested and engaged classroom environment.


Outside the Classroom: Innovation and Excitement — Putting Theory into Practice
Ken frequently uses online bulletin boards as a way to keep the class room discussion going after the class has ended. Typically, he'll assign students to work in groups of five, where they are asked to provide their thoughts and insights on a specific topic or concept that was discussed in class and in the required readings. He will post questions to the online bulletin boards to encourage his students to do inductive thinking rather than simply spit back facts he discussed in class.

He says this is a real eye-opener to him. In following the online bulleting boards, Ken has found that not only are his students actually doing the required readings, but in many cases they are doing additional research, on their own, in order to strengthen their arguments and answers.

Additional outside-the-classroom activities Ken Orosz has participated in include working with various student organizations, in particular the International Students club, The UMF Global Society, to help organize campus functions and events that spotlight a wide range of international issues and introduce the campus community as well as the western Maine region to the different international cultures found at UMF.

Study Abroad — Letting You See the World and Letting the World See You
The International Studies program at Farmington requires students to spend a semester studying or living abroad. Typically, UMF faculty members in International Studies travel with students during an academic semester, Winter Session, May Term or in the summer.

As part of their studies, International Studies students have traveled with faculty or on their own to Germany, Italy, France, England, Russia, China, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Guatemala, Japan, The Czech Republic and beyond, thoroughly immersing themselves in the culture of the country in which they are staying. Ken said this cultural immersion portion of the degree requirement is a crucial aspect of the UMF International Studies program.


A True Academic — Areas of Special Interest
Ken thoroughly enjoys the students he teaches at UMF and that the University's strong commitment to teaching students (as opposed to publishing and research) is truly rewarding.

His teaching specialties include colonialism, imperialism, particularly imperialism in Africa; world history; comparative history; and modern Europe. Ken has taught a broad range of classes at UMF: Colonial Africa; the Holocaust; Modern France; Modern Germany, History vs. Hollywood; Modern Britain; Gender, Sexuality and Global Imperialism; Comparative Revolutions; among many others.


Respected in the Field — Noteworthy Accomplishments
In 1995 Ken Orosz received a prestigious Fulbright Grant to study in Germany; in 2002 and 2003 he received grants from the Maine Humanities Council to fund the UMF Global Affairs Forum, a weekend-long event that brought to campus renowned speakers who discussed a wide range of international topics; and over the years he has received a number of UMF Diversity Grants to bring to campus a number of films and research materials on international topics.

Ken has recently published a book, "Religious Conflict and the Evolution of Language Policy in German and French Cameroon, 1885-1939." He has also published several scholarly articles, many on colonial Africa, and has contributed to many book reviews. Ken also makes frequent presentations at colleges and universities across the northeast on a myriad of global topics.

He is fluent in English and French and also speaks German.


Outside of Academia — Personal Interests and Activities
Born in the U.S. but raised in England, Ken Orosz enjoys international travel, so much so that for many years he has worked summers as a tour guide for a company specializing in international travel. In this exciting position he has accompanied tour groups across Europe (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, etc.).

When not traveling, Ken is an avid runner and typically competes in one marathon each year. (His best time in the Portland, Maine Marathon is 3:37.) He also enjoys cross country skiing.

Ken and his wife reside in Manchester, Maine.


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