Biography
My specialities include nineteenth-century French literature (particularly the works of Prosper Mérimée) and sports in French literature and culture. I enjoy teaching all levels of French: introductory literature courses, graduate seminars, business French, courses on French culture and history, and language classes. I served as co-chair of the Nineteenth-Century French Studies Association with Andrea Goulet and Larry Schehr from 2010-17. I was chair of the department of French and Italian at BYU from 2009-2018 and currently work as an associate dean in the College of Humanities.
Research Interests
I enjoy finding unexpected connections between different fields: tennis and statues, cycling and positivism, philosophy and the fantastic, regional identity and poaching…. My research focuses on nineteenth-century France, but I am sometimes persuaded to move into other areas...Teaching Interests
Teaching is the most challenging and most rewarding part of my career. My teaching philosophy is simple: I want to help students learn. I believe this is best done when students practice and receive feedback. This practice takes the form of small group discussion or exercises in class, assignments, drafts of papers, practice exams, etc. And the feedback I provide is sometimes in class, sometimes in writing, or sometimes in person.Honors and Awards
- Smith-Pettit Best Book, John Whitmer Historical Historical Association (2023 - 2023)
- Best International Book, Mormon History Association (2021 - 2021)
- Christensen Lecture, BYU College of Humanities (2018 - 2018)
Administrative Assignments
- College of Humanities: Associate Dean (2018 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Committee/Council Chair, Nineteenth-Century French Studies Association (2010 - 2017)
- Officer (specify in Other), Modern Language Association (2013 - 2016)