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Douglas H

- Research Program Mentor

MA at University of Arizona

Expertise

Literature, Poetry, Game Studies, Psychology, Philosophy (especially existentialism), Critical/Cultural Theory, and Arts

Bio

Hello! I'm Doug, a recent MA recipient who specializes in English Literature. Much of my personal research sits at the intersection of literature and philosophy. My work emphasizes understanding how individuals find/create meaning (existentialism) through various points in intellectual and world history, and how we express those meanings through writing, film, arts, etc. I have taught numerous courses at the college level that develop fundamental skills in research and writing in order to set students up for success in their respective fields of study. I have also worked in a writing center, helping students develop their writing and research in one-on-one settings. Beyond my passion for literature and philosophy, I also love cycling, running, video-games, and writing poetry/fiction! I like to dabble in esoteric practices like Tarot and Astrology as a way of decompressing from the stress of intellectual rigorous work. I currently live with my partner and big fluffy cat, Albert (named after Albert Camus) in Davis, California!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Finding Meaning In Game: How Video-Games Use Literature and Philosophy to Create Meaningful Experiences

In this project, a student focuses on a popular video-game and explores how the game's setting, story, characters, and maybe even mechanics are influenced by works in Literature and Philosophy. The student's research would focus on drawing parallels between the game a specific literary/philosophical works and also explores how the presentation of those ideas in the context of the game deviate or align with the original work. A particularly ambitious student might also work on developing a thesis addressing why these texts serve as inspirations for the game or even how the game's use of specific themes and ideas can help illuminate social, political, or economic problems in the present.

Coding skills

HTML & CSS, intermediate level

Teaching experience

I have taught introductory college writing courses designed to develop strong fundamental skills in research and academic writing. I have also been employed as a college writing center tutor where I collaborated one-on-one with students seeking help with written projects.

Credentials

Work experience

University of Arizona` (2018 - 2021)
Graduate Assistant Teacher

Education

Central Michigan University
BS Bachelor of Science (2017)
English Literature and Psychology
University of Arizona
MA Master of Arts (2021)
English Literature

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