Information for Prospective Graduate Students
Do you currently accept graduate students at OSU?
Please note that although I am a member of the Department of Educational Studies, I am attached to the program in the philosophy and history of education. As far as I know, this is the only area I will be able to accept mentored graduate students. Although I will seek affiliate status with other departments within the College of Education and Human Ecology, I do not know if I will be able to be involved in any studies outside of dissertation and thesis committees and, perhaps, allowing students to take Independent/directed studies under my tutelage.
(If you're interested in working with me but can't make it to OSU, see my page on distance education.)
(If you're interested in working with me but can't make it to OSU, see my page on distance education.)
- PhD: Yes, in the Department of Educational Studies. However, it is important to note that as an assistant professor, I do not have tenure and there is no guarantee that I will earn it even though I will do everything in my power to do so.
- Master's: [At this time,] I am not sure how master's candidates are assigned to mentors within the program. If this is important to you, please let me know.
- In the department of history? No, but as an affiliate faculty member I can serve on committees.
Can you serve on my graduate committee?
At the Ohio State University
- Department of Educational Studies: Yuppers.
- Department of History - If you tell them about me and they say it's ok.
- The first question I'm going to ask is, "have you checked with your adviser?" If the answer is "no," then I'll send you off to do that. If check and if he/she says "yes," then send me a message and we'll go from there.
What kinds of dissertations can you supervise?
I am primarily a cultural historian, so I am best suited to supervise dissertations centering on the ways in which people express themselves within the construct of "education" as we know it here in North America (particularly the United States). I am particularly interested in the cultures surrounding childhood, ethnic minorities, spirituality, and masculinity. I also study technological history, foodways, consumerism, and photography. I am also comfortable supervising dissertations in the history of American higher education. As with any potential adviser, you should check my publications (detailed list here) and interests pages to see if my scholarly ideas line up with your ideas.
The other Americanist within the program is Dr. Jackie Blount, who specializes in administration, leadership, sexuality, LGBTQ, and feminism and shooling. We both study masculinity, which makes the program particularly adept in gender history. Dr. Blount is especially strong in Progressive-era administration reform, having worked extensively with the histories of John Dewey and Ella Flagg Young; however, her exceptional scholarly record and experience makes her an excellent choice for your adviser in many areas.
Dr. Bruce Kimball, as far as I know, is not taking any new inbound graduate students, although you may want to contact him, particularly if you have interests in the legal history of American education or the structural development of higher education.
I cannot supervise a PhD in educational philosophy as I do not have the total depth required to properly guide a student at the doctoral level. Dr. Bryan Warnick is the appropriate person to query. I might be able to supervise a master's thesis in educational philosophy in some very limited areas.
The other Americanist within the program is Dr. Jackie Blount, who specializes in administration, leadership, sexuality, LGBTQ, and feminism and shooling. We both study masculinity, which makes the program particularly adept in gender history. Dr. Blount is especially strong in Progressive-era administration reform, having worked extensively with the histories of John Dewey and Ella Flagg Young; however, her exceptional scholarly record and experience makes her an excellent choice for your adviser in many areas.
Dr. Bruce Kimball, as far as I know, is not taking any new inbound graduate students, although you may want to contact him, particularly if you have interests in the legal history of American education or the structural development of higher education.
I cannot supervise a PhD in educational philosophy as I do not have the total depth required to properly guide a student at the doctoral level. Dr. Bryan Warnick is the appropriate person to query. I might be able to supervise a master's thesis in educational philosophy in some very limited areas.
What are your academic qualifications?
Please see my CV for this information.
Have you published any books or articles?
Please see my books, articles, etc. page for this information.
Who are your mentors? With whom did you study?
My downloadable CV has some pedigree information, but a more detailed version exists if you wish to see that information.
Can you serve as an external reader?
See my "Common Questions" page for this information.
Do you have an overarching ideology that you follow (e.g. are you a neo-Marxist, post-modernist, etc.)?
See my research philosophy for this information.
Are you comfortable dealing with non-traditional or older students?
Yes, most certainly. The second go-around, I was non-traditional student, myself. I have first-hand experience with professors who didn't understand that I wasn't a 22 year-old straight out of college with different needs, experiences, and viewpoints; it was horribly frustrating on many levels (I was going through a divorce at the time, and my adviser's sage advice was to "look in the back of the local newspaper, there are singles' ads there" [yes, there are people like this out in the world]). Also, I have formal training and many years of experience in dealing with older and non-traditional students. Please note that you will still be held to an absolute standard of excellence as an adult student, however.
What is your political position? Will your political position impact me?
Mine are mine alone and will not impact you in any way. You're fully empowered to hold any political views you wish. I will never punish you for your political views (it's happened to me, and it's not fun) nor will you ever have to worry about being drawn in to any political event such as a rally, protest, speech, or anything of the ilk. Conversely, you won't be reprimanded in any way for attending such an event or expressing your political position.
