Author Archives: al223

In Defense of Dante

Students of Literature Humanities will encounter a speech in the fifth canto of Dante’s Inferno. The speaker is a woman named Francesca. She is telling Dante about how she fell in love with the man next to her, resulting in … Continue reading

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FLI @ Columbia: Navigating “Underrepresentation” in the Academy 

At Columbia, it quickly becomes clear that “underrepresented” doesn’t always mean “poor.” While addressing the issue of “underrepresentation” is often framed as a moral imperative for diversity programs aimed at recruiting the next generation of scholars of color, those who … Continue reading

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Researching in Small Archives: Tips and Advice

Today I’m here to talk about my experiences with small archives, which have been not only invaluable to my research but also some of my fondest research memories. I will first introduce these archives, explain some aspects of how they … Continue reading

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FLI @ Columbia: Losing Your Mind In Seminar? Some Tips & Tricks

As the sixth week of the fall semester wraps up, I return to a feeling of frustration with my History seminars I know all too well. Despite enrolling in at least one History seminar every semester since my sophomore spring, … Continue reading

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So You Don’t Love Your Class(es)…

The time has come—and maybe even passed. You registered for a course during shopping week that leaves you disappointed every M/W, that makes you grind your teeth, or that fills you with deep regret over your course selection. And unfortunately, … Continue reading

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A Beginner’s Guide to Grant Proposals

A grant can provide the foundational financial support needed to launch a new initiative or revitalize an existing one. Grants range in terms of funding packages large and small and stem from a variety of sources, including state governments, city … Continue reading

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The Core Is For You

I often play one song on loop, over and over again—there’s something about a little instrumental detail that can hook me. Same goes for other media. Certain paragraphs in books, photographs in my camera roll or pasted on my wall, … Continue reading

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Exploring Paris through Its Archives

Archival research is already demanding enough as is, so the challenge can only mount when researching in a foreign language in a foreign archive. If you find yourself in this situation, however, fret not! In the blog post that follows, I … Continue reading

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Visual Arts and Academics: Bringing Both Together

Deep in the tall grasses and dry underbrush of the prairies of eastern Kansas, I crouch, my grandfather’s old film camera slung over my shoulder. Trees sway with the wind blowing over the lake ahead of me, and my sister … Continue reading

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My HRSP (Humanities Research Scholars Program) Journey: The Fruits of a Failed Project

Okay, I might be exaggerating a little when I say that I “failed” in my research, but bear with me, and I’ll explain why I think the failure of my project was more fruitful than if it had “succeeded.” In … Continue reading

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