معرفی
Joseph Dorinson is a Professor of History at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus, where he has served since 1966 and received tenure in 1972. He chaired the History Department from 1985 to 1997 and has taught over 25 innovative courses spanning World Civilizations, American History, Sports History, and Humor Studies, including pioneering offerings like History of Sports and Culture & Society in Humor.
His educational background includes:
- B.A., Columbia University
- M.Phil., Columbia University
Dorinson's research explores the intersections of ethnicity, sports, and American culture through lenses of Jewish identity, African-American experiences, and Brooklyn's urban history. His work consistently examines how marginalized communities use sports and comedy as vehicles for social commentary and identity formation, with recurring focus on baseball's integration era and Borscht Belt comedy traditions. He has introduced groundbreaking courses analyzing humor in political contexts and the cultural significance of sports figures.
His publication trajectory reveals deepening specialization in Jewish-American contributions to sports and comedy since 2005, with Jackie Robinson, Paul Robeson, and Jerry Lewis serving as recurring case studies. The scholarship demonstrates methodological versatility across historical, sociological, and cultural frameworks while maintaining consistent thematic focus on ethnic representation in 20th-century America.
Dorinson has actively shaped academic discourse through conference leadership including the 1997 "Jackie Robinson: Race, Sports, and the American Dream" symposium and 1998 "Paul Robeson: Life and Legacy" event. His community engagement extends to the Faculty Union (AFT Local 3998) as Treasurer, University Faculty Senate, and Community Planning Board #15 since 2010, reflecting sustained commitment to both campus governance and Brooklyn's civic life.
