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A double major in history and government & law, Rory Hart ’04 (Equinunk, Pa.) is conducting a yearlong honors research project on the changing interpretations of France’s government during the Vichy era, and will present his findings at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, hosted April 15-17 by Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.
“I have had an interest in modern western European history since high school,” says Hart, who is being guided by Robert Weiner, Jones Professor of History. “When I arrived at Lafayette, working with the history department helped fuel [this] interest.”
The world’s view of the Vichy Regime — the time period from Germany’s defeat of France until the Allies won World War II — was distorted and had conflicting views, Hart explains.
“It was not until 1972 that the world began to see Vichy for what it really was,” he says. “While several studies have taken place recently to evaluate the external historiography, there has yet to be completed a study of how the historians have impacted our memory of Vichy through their writings.”
According to Hart, there is a vexing human dilemma in Vichy history as the government bounced between occupying German interests, preserving French imperialism, and rebuilding the French common person. His thesis explores these and other topics of the regime as well as reporting on the changing interpretations of the era.
“With stronger texts and newer methods for viewing the history of Vichy, French historians are quickly preparing for the opening of French archival material in the near future,” he says.
Weiner, who recently traveled to France to conduct his own research, says that the topic is very complicated. Hart had the option to study a smaller element of the Vichy Regime, but wanted to pursue the issue at large.
“The most exciting aspect of this is having the liberty to stretch the boundaries of academic study and leaping from standard course study to the realm of scholarly research and academia,” says Hart.
He took an interim session course taught by Weiner in Germany and the Czech Republic called The Open Wall and the New Europe: Berlin, Prague, and Munich in January 2003.
Hart is pleased with his experience at Lafayette because it provides great opportunities and resources to students.
“You gain amazing experience as a history major here,” he says. “The personal attention you receive from an experienced and knowledgeable department is a commodity that makes this education worth every cent.”
Hart says he is honored to work with Weiner, who has a vast knowledge of French authors.
“Professor Weiner has been an invaluable person to work with on this project,” he says. “His knowledge of French history is immense, allowing us to speak in great detail without misunderstandings.”
Weiner and Hart have known each other for two years. Hart has taken several of Weiner’s advanced courses and the professor initially suggested that he expand his work into an independent study and later into his honors thesis.
“Since we have been able to establish a strong relationship, I have been willing to take more chances, experiment more, and be more daring in my work,” Hart says. “As I expand my horizons, he has provided support when my attempts are fruitful and honesty when I might lose direction.”
Weiner, an award-winning teacher, has presented his research in journal articles and at conferences such as the annual meeting of Western Society for French History. The meeting included his paper in its selective proceedings. The Teaching Company will videotape 36 of Weiner’s lectures this August and make them available in a series titled The Long 19th Century: A History of Europe, 1789-1917.
“Beyond the knowledge Dr. Weiner brings, his warmth and friendliness make him more accessible and efficient as a mentor,” Hart says.
Hart, who spent six weeks studying in Bonn, Germany, intends to go on to graduate school and become a professor.
“He loves learning. If he does decide to teach, he will be a great teacher,” Weiner says. “He’s part of the new breed of Lafayette’s best students.”
Hart is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta (history) and Pi Sigma Alpha (political science) honor societies, and Le Cercle Francais, Lafayette’s French club. He was a Lafayette orientation leader and a member of the Experience Lafayette Committee. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
He is a graduate of the Peddie School.
Honors thesis projects are among several major opportunities at Lafayette that make the College a national leader in undergraduate research. Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students have been accepted to present their work at the annual conference this month.