Degrees
Ph.D. (Classics), Brown University (2007)
M.A. (Classics), University of Arizona (2000)
B.A. (English and World Literature), Pitzer College (1996)
Research Interests
I find the connections between various Greek and Roman authors to be a fruitful and challenging area of study. Past projects have included the investigation of a myth (the story of Hylas) and its treatment in Theocritus, Apollonius, and Propertius as well as work on the pastoral tradition (Theocritus and Virgil). Currently, I am examining the tragedies of Seneca and, in particular, allusions to the Augustan poets (Virgil, Horace, and Ovid) in his plays. Seneca’s pointed style reflects the time in which he lived, which scholars have called the “Neronian Renaissance.” Seneca creatively responds to his predecessors in order to assert his individual view of poetics, while pointing out his place in the literary tradition. His works tend to provoke strong responses; most people either love or hate Seneca. I enjoy discovering new ways in which to explain Seneca’s poetics and find that modern literary theories such as Reception, Reader-Response, Intertextuality, and Metatheatre often aid my interpretations of his plays and letters. Other projects include work on early Roman tragedy (Ennius), the Phaedra myth (Racine, Kane), Ted Hughes' translation of Latin poetry, and an abiding fascination with Greek and Roman apiculture.
Teaching Interests
I teach language courses in Greek and Latin as well as courses on Classical civilization and literature. In teaching Greek and Latin, I enjoy both the introductory grammar courses and the more advanced translation classes. Introductory language courses often are a student’s first exposure to the glory of ancient Greece and Rome, and I teach the language in its historical and cultural context. This approach allows students to discover points of personal interest in these ancient societies, whether they are archaeological, literary, or philosophical. More advanced language courses grant students an inclusive view of topics such as Attic oratory, Platonic philosophy, Roman tragedy, and Virgilian epic. At this point in their careers, students can start to see the forest (what a work means) from the trees (the basic vocabulary, syntax, and grammar). My general education courses have covered topics such as Greek and Roman religion, the history of Tragedy, and Greek and Roman history. Through an investigation of these subjects, I aim to reveal not only the ways in which ancient culture is similar to our own, but also to delve into the differences and the importance of that dissimilarity. We should not believe the Greeks and Romans had the same values, beliefs, and expectations as twenty-first century Americans, and I try to give a view of their world on its own terms.
Selected Publications
2007 “Seneca’s Heroides: Elegy in Seneca’s Medea.” CJ 103: 63-78.
Awards and Honors
Hattie Cowell Holt Fellowship, Brown University (2005-2006)
Martin Ostwald Fellowship, American School of Classical Studies (2003-2004)
College of Humanities Teaching Assistant Award of Excellence, University of Arizona (2000)