About

Hello! My name is Emma Slonina and I am an Arthur J. Ennis Postdoctoral Scholar in Villanova University’s Augustine and Culture Seminar Program. I earned my Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University in May 2020, specializing in political theory.

I received my B.A. in political science and Hispanic studies from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in April 2012, and entered the Ph.D. program at Michigan State as a University Distinguished Fellow in Fall 2013. I earned my M.A. in Spring 2016 and the Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education in Spring 2017.

My research interests include women in political thought, citizenship and virtue, liberal education, and pedagogy. My dissertation focuses on moral education in Rousseau’s novel, Julie, and its relationship to the educations he presents in Emile. I argue that Julie offers a distinct alternative to his better-known proposals in Emile, especially for women. Namely, he proposes a “bisexualizing” education in the former work as opposed to the hyper-gendered program in the latter.

I am currently working on two article manuscripts analyzing this “bisexualizing” education in Julie, as well as researching Mary Wollstonecraft’s educational proposals in light of her understanding of Rousseau.

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

I am also active in departmental and university life. As a graduate student, I served as the departmental steward to the Graduate Employees Union for four years and in various positions on the executive board of the Political Science Graduate Student Association. I regularly volunteered at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum in the preparations department.

In my spare time, I can be found hiking around Michigan, Georgia, and my new home in Pennsylvania, shopping at Aldi, and stargazing.