Allison D'Orazio
Department of Political Science
Boston College
May 2012
EDUCATION
Ph.D., 2013 (expected) Boston College, Political Science
Doctoral comprehensive examinations passed with distinction, May 2010
Dissertation: “Athenian Imperialism in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian
War”
Committee: Robert Bartlett (chair), Robert Faulkner, Christopher Kelly
M.A., 2008 (with distinction), Boston College, Political Science
B.A., 2006 (high honors), Boston College, Political Science
Senior Thesis: "Rousseau's Emile: A Naturally Moral Man?" Advisor: Alice
Behnegar
TEACHING INTERESTS
Classical political thought
Foundations of modern liberalism
The American founding, American political thought and political development
International relations
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant (including discussion sections), Boston College
Spring semester 2011: IN50001 “Introduction to International Studies”
Teaching Fellow, Boston College
Fall semester 2010: PO65501 “The Question of Justice”
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FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2011 Donald J. White Teaching Excellence Award
2010-2011 Boston College Teaching Fellowship
2008-2009 Earhart Fellowship
2007-2008 Bradley Fellowship
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Bradley and Fortin Grants for Summer Study
LANGUAGES
Ancient Greek
Spanish
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
My dissertation focuses on Thucydides’ presentation of great imperial ambition.
Thucydides claims that Athenian imperialism was the cause of the Peloponnesian War, and
suggests that the desire for empire has ineradicable roots in the human soul. Thus, he indicates
that there is something fundamental and enduring to be understood about human beings, and
perhaps in particular about democratic human beings, from the study of imperial ambition, as
well as suggests that, contrary to the hopes of many contemporary students of politics,
imperialism is likely a permanent feature of political life. The aim of this project is to attain
greater clarity especially about the confusions and hopes that Thucydides suggests lie at the heart
of the extraordinary ambition he depicts.
REFERENCES
Robert Bartlett
Telephone: 617-552-4163
Email: robert.bartlett@bc.edu
Robert Faulkner
Telephone: 617-552-4178
Email: robert.faulkner@bc.edu
Christopher Kelly
Telephone: 617-552-1565
Email: christopher.kelly.3@bc.edu
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Christopher Bruell
Telephone: 505-661-9969
Email: christopher.bruell@bc.edu
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