Florence, Italy
Undergraduates interested in peace studies or global affairs are welcome to contact me to discuss these fields. I also work regularly with Masters and Doctoral students in peace studies, global affairs, and political science. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your research or opportunities to work as a research assistant.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Letters of Recommendation
I will write letters of recommendation for students who have taken my courses or worked with me in some capacity, provided they have done exceptional work. Please ask me well in advance of the deadline. If I agree to write the letter, I will ask that you give me all of the necessary materials (see below) no less than one month prior to the deadline of the first letter. I write letters in the order I am asked to do so, not in the order of the approaching deadlines. It is in your interest to give me plenty of time to write your letter.
If I feel I can write a strong letter for you, I will ask for:
1. A clear list of schools, grants or jobs to which you are applying. Include deadlines for each institution, whether it is an electronic or paper application, website URLs, mailing addresses, phone numbers and email contact information.
2. If I need to complete a paper reference, include all necessary forms. I do not need envelopes or stamps. If it is an electronic submission, please make sure to provide me with all of the necessary information to submit the letter.
3. For graduate school references, please provide information about each program. That is, with whom you would like to work, the type of program, and why you are interested in each particular program.
4. A recap of the courses (including grades) and any other work you have done with me, as well as your GPA.
5. A detailed CV (curriculum vitae, or academic résumé). If you are not sure how to write a CV, you can speak with me or the Career Center.
6. Your statement of purpose or cover letter, even if it is in draft form. This allows me to write a stronger and more detailed letter.
7. Please waive the right to see the letter. A confidential recommendation letter is taken much more seriously by graduate schools, grant foundations and employers because they correctly assume the letter writer is being frank. I will not under any circumstances provide a letter if it is not confidential.
I reserve the right not to write a recommendation letter, either because I do not know the student well enough or do not feel the letter would be sufficiently strong. I will also decline to write a letter if the deadline is less than one month away from when I receive all of your materials.
Senior Theses
I normally advise one senior thesis project per academic year, though on rare occasions two. I will work with a student who has:
1. A clear thesis project in mind, including an idea of the necessary steps to carry it to fruition;
2. Taken at least one advanced course with me and done exceptionally well;
3. Taken any other courses that would aid in the thesis project (relevant language, research design, historical knowledge, etc.) and done exceptionally well in them;
4. A topic that connects to my own research and teaching interests, so I can provide useful advising.
You should contact me well in advance about your thesis project, and no later than the spring semester of your junior year.
Masters Theses
I normally advise one Masters thesis project per academic year, though on rare occasions two. I will work with a student who has:
1. A clear thesis project in mind, including an idea of the necessary steps to carry it to fruition;
2. Preferably taken a course with me and done exceptionally well;
3. Taken any other courses that would aid in the thesis project (relevant language, research design, historical knowledge, etc.) and done exceptionally well in them;
4. A topic that connects to my own research and teaching interests, so I can provide useful advising.
You should contact me well in advance about your thesis project.
Doctoral Dissertations
Please contact me to discuss serving on your doctoral dissertation committee.