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Hamzah B

- Research Program Mentor

PhD at Yale University

Expertise

Geopolitics, Middle East and African history, race and ethnicity, political theory, international relations, Black Studies

Bio

I recently completed my PhD in History at Yale University, where I focused on the politics of decolonization and postcolonial state formation, with a regional emphasis on Africa and the Middle East. I have a lot of experience working with students on research projects across a variety of disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences. I am well-equipped to guide students through research in Politics, History, International Relations, Literature, Anthropology, Sociology, and Geography. I love traveling and exploring new places. In terms of hobbies, I love to read, watch films, and I play sports, especially basketball, soccer, and boxing. Before graduate school, I also used to paint in my free time and I hope to return to it in the near future!

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.

Politics and History of the Modern Middle East

Our sessions will cover key themes in modern Middle East history, starting from the late nineteenth century to the present. In terms of learning outcomes, this course and the final project will allow students to learn about the political developments that have shaped the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. It will familiarize you with the complexity of socio-political life in the Arab world. Ultimately, you will learn elements of critical scholarly engagement, including historiographic writing, reading notes, academic research, primary source analysis, as well as oral and written presentations. The primary focus will be guiding you through the ins and outs of developing a strong research paper for publication.

Ukraine and International Human Rights

Our course will cover key themes in International Human Rights geared towards understanding the current situation following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The primary focus will be guiding you through the ins and outs of developing a strong research paper for publication. In terms of learning goals, the plan is for you to have a basic understanding of the history of Russia-Ukraine relations; to develop familiarity with the burgeoning field of Humanitarian Studies; and to craft a well-written research paper for academic publication. Ultimately, you will learn elements of critical scholarly engagement, including historiographic writing, reading notes, academic research, primary source analysis, as well as oral and written presentations. The primary focus will be guiding you through the ins and outs of developing a strong academic research paper.

Languages I know

Arabic, fluent; French, fluent; Urdu, fluent

Teaching experience

I have experience as a Teaching Assistant/Fellow and as an Instructor of Record. I also have experience working with students on specifically designed research projects.

Credentials

Work experience

University of California, Santa Barbara (2023 - Current)
Postdoctoral Fellow

Education

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
BA Bachelor of Arts (2015)
Political Science
Yale University
MA Master of Arts (2018)
History
Yale University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
History

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