About

Hello! My name is Emma Slonina and I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of West Alabama. Previously, I was a postdoctoral fellow in Villanova University’s Augustine and Culture Seminar Program for four years and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Holy Family University. I earned my Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University in May 2020, specializing in political theory.

My research interests include liberal education in modern political philosophy, especially women’s education; citizenship and virtue; and pedagogy. My recent article in Political Theory  argues that Rousseau presents an alternative education to the one he proposes in Emile, which allows men and women to acquire moral judgment through a “third birth.”

I am currently working on projects analyzing Rousseau’s domestic and political educations in Julie, Mary Wollstonecraft’s educational proposals in light of her understanding of Rousseau, and Algernon Sidney’s influence on the American Founding.

I am committed to excellence in undergraduate education and have taught courses in empirical political science, political philosophy, and interdisciplinary humanities. Please see my “Teaching” page for my teaching philosophy and course syllabi.

In my spare time, I can be found hiking around Alabama and Michigan, making art, and collecting postcards from my travels and pen pals.