CAS New Faculty
Courses? Calculus 1, Linear Algebra Why math? I liked mathematics even as a small child, but this is not unusual; what’s unusual is that I failed to lose interest in the fourth grade. As an adult, I stuck with mathematics because it seemed cleaner and more beautiful than other options I considered (e.g., engineering or commodity futures research), it changes the way I look at the world, and it gets me out and about more than I would have expected. Reading? Read? I’m too busy moving house. Desert island companion? Second choice: any one of my close friends
Courses? Formation of Islamic Societies: 500–1500, Society and Culture in the Arab Middle East Why history? Long lists of names, dates, and historical facts—just kidding! We all wonder how things got to be the way they are and the way things used to be before; some of us make it a profession. Human behavior is fascinating, and history tries to make sense of how and why it changes. Reading? Turkiye icin necat ve itila yollari (Ways of Renewal and Reform in Turkey) by Nahid Hashim Favorite place? Oh, that’s impossible to say—wherever there are friends, interesting conversation, books, or a soccer ball Desert island companion? That’s an easy one: my wife, Layla, if we could find a babysitter
Courses? Comparative and International Education, International Education Exchange: Policies and Practices Why international education? My experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Moldova inspired me to pursue a degree in international education as a means to understand how education can alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life in the developing world. Reading? Saturday by Ian McEwan Favorite place? In a hammock—especially if it is alongside Lake George in upstate New York Desert island companion? Gilligan, of course
Courses? Introduction to Computer Science I, Introduction to Computer Networks Why computer science? When I was a kid, I liked to tinker with electronics and build small digital circuits. My biggest childhood ambition was to build my own computer from scratch. Computer engineering—and, by extension, computer science—was a logical career path. Reading? The
Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk and The
Godfather by Favorite place? Parke County, Indiana, with its 31 covered bridges is pretty high on my list. I also enjoy the Appalachians around Cumberland, Maryland. Desert island companion? Richard Feynman
Courses? Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, and a seminar in Stereotyping & Prejudice Why psychology? I like people! Reading? Three Cups of Tea: One man's mission to promote peace... one school at a time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Desert island companion? There's only one person I would "like" to be marooned with, and that would be my husband, Brian. Besides, he's in the Coast Guard, so maybe he could help us rescue ourselves in a timely manner! If we had to stay for any length of time and I could also have furry friends there, I would want to bring along our three cats. |
Courses? Introduction to Spanish Linguistics, Latin American History, Art and Literature, and Spanish Conversation and Composition. Why language and foreign studies? As an undergraduate, I was inspired by one of my professors, Dr. Lisa Block. She taught us Literary Theory and Linguistics. Since then, my intellectual journey started from literature to linguistics studies loving both in complementary ways. Reading? Hija de la Fortuna by Isabel Allende. Favorite place? My favorite place is Punta del Este, a beautiful beach resort in Uruguay. Desert island companion? I think that I would like to be with Alexander Von Humboldt. He had an amazing sense of wonder about nature and language.
Courses? Critical Approach to the Cinema, Topics in American Modernism: Modernism High and Low Reading? The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope Why literature? I never stop being fascinated by the American
twentieth Desert island companion? I never have understood this question.
How
Courses? U.S. Foreign Relations: 1774–1914, America and the Cold War, Studies in History: Americanization and Anti-Americanism Why history? I have a long-standing interest in U.S. foreign relations and Reading? The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times by Odd Arne Westad, George Kennan: A Study of Character by John Lukacs, and Snow by Orhan Pamuk Desert island companion? The American studies scholar Katharina Vester. She’s the most interesting person I’ve ever met. That’s why I asked her to marry me.
Courses? First half of Major Seminar Why history? I’m originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, which helps explain my interest in early America, and have long been committed to feminist politics, which underpins my study of women’s and gender history. Reading? Nothing Remains the Same: Rereading and Remembering by Wendy Lesser Favorite place? Blue Mountain Beach, Florida Desert island companion? It’s a tie: Oscar Wilde and Bear Grylls
Courses? The Literary Imagination and Interpreting Literature Why literature? I returned to grad school and to the study of literature in particular so as to resume writing poetry, something I felt I'd lost in beginning to practice therapy so early. Reading? The Sight of Death by T.J. Clark Desert Island Companion? I'd most like the company of Gilles Deleuzes—so much to ask!—and Tina Turner in the background
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