Ph.D. Yale University
B.A. Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges
View my Curriculum Vitae
Fulbright Scholar, 2011-2012 (8/2011-7/2012)
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
Guangzhou, China
Currently teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in American Studies and American Art History to Chinese students in the Department of English Literature and Culture.
Areas of Expertise:
American visual culture, gender and sexuality studies.
Courses I Teach:
- Art History for the Classroom Teacher
- Introduction to American Studies: 1960s
- Looking at Art
- Special Topics in Art and/or Architectural History
- Survey of the History of Art II
- Visual Culture of the United States
- West African and African Diaspora Art and Culture
Research Interests:
American art, especially nineteenth-century American painting.
My passion for research is inseparable from my goal of conveying to students the excitement and importance of studying the past. At the same time, I try to also help students improve the very practical skills they will need in their lives -- the abilities to think critically, write clearly, and speak confidently.
Fulbright Scholar 2011-2012
My book:
Thomas Eakins: Art, Medicine, and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia (2007)
Co-Chair,
with Frederick Lane, at the College Art Association Conference session: Jurisprudishness: Law & Visual Culture in the United States, 1842-1973 (Feb.2011)
Article:
"Searching for Smut: Hot on the Trail of Anthony Comstock" Common-Place Journal (Oct. 2010); Smithsonian American Art Museum Senior Fellowship, (Jun.-Aug. 2010)
My Saint Michael's:
I live for those moments when the light bulb seems to go on and a student makes a leap.
I love the sense of community shared by students, faculty and staff at Saint Michael's. There is a dedication to virtuous education that is refreshing and lovely. Saint Michael's students share great team spirit and camaraderie, both on campus and out in the community. When I tell local residents that I teach at Saint Michael's, they often express gratitude for some public service work our students have done in the community.
Survey of the History of Art is a lot of fun to teach. The course fulfills a culture and civilization requirement so I get a broad range of students. My favorite challenge is to make students love art who just took the course because it fit their schedule.
Life Off Campus:
I enjoy travel, spending time with my family, and taking an active part in local politics.