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Information About Robert:

Personal Description:

I was born in Cardiff in 1965. I attended high school in the capital city, and left to travel the world in the late 1980s. I attended the University of Nottingham as an undergraduate in 1994 and focused on the subject areas of History, Literature, Critical Theory, Art History, and Native American Studies. I graduated from Nottingham with a 2:1 Sing. Hons. in July 1997. I then left the UK for the US and remained overseas for 11 years. In May 1999, I received an MA from the University of Wyoming at Laramie (American Studies Dept) where I specialized in History, Literature, and Film Studies. In October 1999, after graduating from the University of Wyoming, I was accepted onto a part-time PhD program at the University of Nottingham American Studies Dept. My doctoral thesis, available at the British Library, examines the importance of visuality on constructions of the urban landscape. My specialist field is Visual Culture, however, my thesis also encompasses the subject areas of History, Literature, and Film Studies. I received my PhD in July 2007. In order to fund my doctoral research, I taught History at a private university in eastern Iowa -- St. Ambrose University (see teaching experience). In addition, during this period, I also worked as an Item Writer for ACT. This job entailed developing and writing high school examination questions in the fields of English Literature, History, and Political Science. I received my PhD in July 2007 at which point I moved to New York City and worked for six months as a writer for a multinational marketing company. I relocated to the UK in July 2008.

Teaching Experience:

I have a strong commitment to teaching as well as several years of experience. My earliest teaching experience dates back to 1997 when I was a teaching assistant whilst completing my Masters degree at the University of Wyoming. From August 1997 to May 1999 I taught an introduction to American Studies course which focused primarily on aspects of American history through the lens of film, television, and literature. Upon completing my Masters degree in 1999, I was accepted to the University of Nottingham's American Studies PhD program (part-time). Here, during my first year, I assisted in the teaching of a Twentieth Century American Cultural History module (under Prof. Margaret Walsh - see referee), heading seminar groups of between 12 and 15 undergraduate students. In 2000, I moved to the United States and took a part-time position at St. Ambrose University, Iowa. From 2000 to 2007 I lectured and headed seminars on an undergraduate degree course in Social and Cultural History (a course that I developed in its entirety).

Tutoring Approach:

My teaching philosophy involves encouraging students to engage in subject matter as closely as possible: to explore topics in ways that seek to establish accessible contexts and clearer understandings. I firmly believe that by contextualizing a subject, a student can grasp its meaning far more readily. I also believe in completely open dialogue between student and teacher. In my experience, developing this kind of professional "openness" makes for productive and effective learning. Rather than simply learning subjects "parrot-fashion," I actively encourage students to work around topics: to discuss themes and issues and to ask questions of them. I have found that this approach is extremely effective not only in allowing students to take on board quite complex concepts, but also in developing and nurturing their analytical skills. This method of teaching I have found to be crucial in allowing students better and more clear understandings of a given subject, and is particularly useful if a student is preparing for the step up to university level learning. My teaching record over the past nine years has been exemplary. Student and faculty evaluations are available upon request.

Qualifications:

• PhD American Studies
• MA American Studies
• BA American Studies

Further Information:

Availability:	Weekends / Weekdays (evenings)
Types of Tutoring:	Travels to you / From their home / Online
References Supplied?	Yes
Additional Languages Spoken:	French