Darrin M. Cox
Ph.D., Professor of History
Elbin Library 18D
304-336-8087

Degrees
2008 Ph.D. in Early Modern History, Purdue
2002 M.A. in Medieval History, West Virginia University
1997 B.S. in Journalism, West Virginia University

Biography
Darrin Cox joined the faculty at West Liberty University in 2008. His scholarly interests span from the intersection of gender and war to the efficacy of material history in the classroom. Cox earned his Ph.D. in Late Medieval/Early Modern History at Purdue University with subfields in gender and nobility where he won a Purdue Research Fellowship and the Graduate Student Teaching award in recognition of his academic pursuits and teaching acumen. His Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are from West Virginia University in Viking history and Journalism respectively.

Cox’s research endeavors have focused on the reinvention of the Vikings in recent years, with particular attention paid to the fluidity of masculinity in the Scandinavian world. In many ways this grew from his work on the Viking Living History Project, a student volunteer driven reenactment group at WLU that perform hands-on history demonstrations while studying its perceived impact in local learning communities. Additionally, he continues to present and publish on many facets of aristocratic masculinity in France from the end of the Hundred Years’ War to the beginning of the French Wars of Religion.

As the History Coordinator for Social Sciences, Cox primarily teaches the European component of the history major, ranging from Ancient History to the History of the British Empire, while guiding students through the nuances of the program. Additionally, Cox arranges internships for WLU students at local institutions like the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum, the Elbin Library, and the Moundsville Archaeological Complex.

Originally from Preston County, WV, Cox specifically returned to his home state after receiving his education in order to combat the “brain drain” so common to Appalachia. When he is not shepherding his beloved sons Tiernan and Clinton to their own activities, he enjoys brewing mead and participating in heavy and rapier fighting with the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, the Shire of Ballachlagan.

Teaching Experience
West Liberty University since 2008
Glenville State College, 2007-2008
Fellow, Purdue University, 2006-2007
Graduate Instructor, Purdue University 2005-2006
Adjunct Professor, Ivy Tech State College, May, 2004-Dec, 2004
Associate Adjunct Professor, University of Indianapolis, IN 2003-2004
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Purdue University, 2002-2005
Graduate Instructor, West Virginia University 2001-2002

Areas of Interest

• Medieval Europe
• Early Modern Europe
• Nobility
• Gender
• Vikings

Publications:

• “The Efficacy of Living History in an Educational Setting,” The History Teacher, Vol.56, No. 2 (February 2023)

• “All About the Audience,” Reconference 2018: Papers and Summaries,  Dec. 2020
• “Beowulf- Introduction,” Literature Appreciation OER, May 2020
• Historical Consultant: Avalon. Andy Schmidt (Chief Writer) ComicsExperience.com, 2016-2020
•  “The Knight versus the Courtier,” in Rivalrous Masculinities: New Directions in
• Medieval Gender Studies. Notre Dame: Notre Dame Press, 2019
•  “War as Sport: Late Medieval Memoirs as Sport Literature,” Aethlon: The Journal of Sport Literature, Winter 2017
• Review of John RC Martyn’s “From Queens to Slaves” (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England:  Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2011), in The Historian, Volume 74, No. 4, 2013

•  Aristocratic Masculinity in France (1450-1550):  From Knight to Courtier.  Lewiston, NY:  The Edwin Mellen Press, 2012
• “Living History- A New Kind of Social Science Field Experience,” Field Experience Journal, Spring 2012

Historical Practice/Living History:

• Gateway Achievement Center, March 2023
•  4-H Younger and Older Camp, July 2022
•  Brooke County Fair, Sept. 2021
•  Hundred High School, Dec. 2019
•  Brooke High School, Apr. 2018
•  Elm Grove Elementary, Nov. 2016
•  Woodsdale Elementary, Apr. 2016
•  House of the Carpenter, July 15, 2015
•  Morgantown Learning Academy, May 15, 2015
•  Warwood Middle School, Wheeling, WV, March 2014
• Grand View Park’s Fall Festival, Moundsville, WV, Oct. 2013
•  WVNCC, 2nd Wheeling Regional Pre-Modern Symposium, Apr. 2013
•  Woodsdale Elementary, Mar. 2013
•  Middle Creek Elementary, Oct. 2012
•  College Girl Scout Camp, Camp Giscowheco, Wheeling, WV. June 2012
•  Saturday Scholars Program, Warwood Elementary, Mar. 2012
•  Lunch With Books, Ohio County Library, Oct. 2011
•  Sherrard Middle School, Oct. 2011
•  West Liberty University, Wheeling Regional Pre-Modern Symposium, Oct. 2011
•  John Marshall High School, Oct. 2011
•  West Liberty Elementary School, April 2011
•  Wellsburg Primary School, March 2011
•  Elm Grove Elementary School, Nov. 2010