Matthew Nelson

Ph.D. Student

Bio

I'm a Ph.D. Candidate in the Literary and Cultural Studies program. My field is 20th/21st century American literature and culture with a particular focus on mid-century and contemporary texts. My dissertation is a literary and cultural history of the American sports novel from 1980 to the present. In addition, I'm interested in the relationship between fiction and history, how space and place shapes identity, and contemporary developments in gender studies. I've presented work in these areas at a variety of conferences. I've taught courses on a wide range of topics including: The Politics and Discourse of Genocide, The Culture of Sports Fandom, Where are you from?: Space, Place, and Identity, and Introduction to Gender Studies. Outside of research and teaching, I've been involved with planning and coordinating guest lecturers, serving as a workshop leader for the Odyssey program, and working as a tutor at the Global Communication Center.

Education

• BA with majors in English, American Studies, minor in Anthropology from the University of Iowa
• MA in American Studies from California State University Fullerton