Ask a doctoral student anything!

What was your thesis on? Also what is your favorite time in American history?

 

1) The raid on Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson’s home in Boston prior to the American Revolution.
2) The last turn of the century (1900), when modern America first appeared with urbanization and many of the products we have today (cars, electricity, phones, etc). My great-grandmother was born in Sweden in 1889 and came to the U.S. about 1900. I knew her well. My kids freak out that I knew someone who was born 24 years after Abraham Lincoln was president.

 

Oh my gosh please tell me more! It sounds really cool!

My Great Grandma and Great Grandfather were from that time too. They emigrated to the U.S. after WWI. My aunt made a little biography about him after my grandma died. It turns out he was a really cool dude.

 

It's been 30+ years. From what I remember ... Governor Hutcinson was a loyalist who had his home looted and burned at the time of the Stamp Act in 1763. The crime was perpetrated by the same "radical" types that pulled off the Boston Tea Party in 1773. There was shock throughout the colonies and England when this happened. I argued the attack wasn't surprising for people who had been paying attention to the contemporary political situation in Boston in 1763. My professor said it was the best research he had ever seen at my school. I've done ok in the business world. Sometimes I wonder what being a professor of American history would have been like.

Have you chosen a dissertation topic?

 

That actually makes sense, given my readings. Most riots are organized to some extent by local political elites. I want to look into something like this. I want to look at why political violence emerges in the first place, with a particular emphasis on South America. I'm trying to develop a feminist theory for violence. Basically violence is needed because they have no other choice in rearranging the connections the state makes with the citizens. So for example, the U.S. assisted coup against Allende was needed because they couldn't defeat him in the election.

 

Good luck in your work. It sounds like you have the passion needed to succeed.

 

What do you think of this guy?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Burrow

The guy obtained his bachelor's degree in three years and is now pursuing a master's degree.

All the while being a major college football player, and is now a star player for a championship contender.

 

How do you know what you know?