John Barham, PhD

"From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." - Acts 17:26-27

• Research Interests
  World War I, European History, French Language, and Francophone Culture
• Teaching & Education

  Additional Study in French Language Education,
  Colorado State University
  Pueblo, Colorado
  2026

  Doctorate of Philosophy in European History
  Liberty University
  Lynchburg, Virginia
  2025

  Master of Arts in Global History
  Arizona State University
  Tempe, Arizona
  2023

  Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (History/French)
  North Greenville University
  Tigerville, South Carolina
  2022

• Professional Experience

  Prior to joining the North Greenville faculty full time in Fall 2025, I served as an adjunct in the history department during the 2024-2025 academic year. Previously, I worked in the history and political science department at Wingate University from 2023 until 2025, where I taught Modern World History.

  Currently, my research focuses on the lived experiences of soldiers in World War I. I examine these experiences using an interdisciplinary methodology known as sensory history. Along with serving as the Social Studies Education Program Coordinator, I teach a variety of classes ranging from introductory courses such as Western Civilization in a Global Context to upper-level courses in World War I, European History, and various areas of Global History.

• My Story

  I attended North Greenville as a student and was blessed by the ministry of the University. In studying academic subjects through the integration of faith and learning, not only is our understanding of the world more complete, but also our faith is deepened. Foundationally, to fully begin to understand any academic subject, one must acknowledge that Jesus is the Truth personified (John 14:6).

  As a faculty member, I count it my great joy to be able to mentor students at my alma mater and to teach them history through the eyes of faith. In the study of history, we see the sinfulness of man and our need for a saviour – that Saviour is Jesus. Furthermore, by teaching about cultures and histories from around the world, I am better able to equip students to become Gospel Ambassadors to wherever in the globe God may send them – whether that be in another continent, elsewhere in North America, or here in South Carolina.

  My favorite course to teach is Western Civilization in a Global Context because this course is required of almost all majors at North Greenville University, and is usually taken during a student’s freshman year. I love getting to help freshman adjust to college life and academics, and walking through history with them as we explore themes such as God’s sovereignty and providence, mankind’s brokenness, Christ’s redemptive work, and Christianity’s role in Western Civilization.