From GED to PhD
Discovering and Sharing a Love for the (Applied) Humanities
My story is a little different than most of my colleagues. In my senior year I dropped out of high school. Thirteen years later I earned a doctorate in Comparative Studies from Florida Atlantic University. And I regret nothing.
My relationship with formal education changed when, after earning a GED, I encountered philosophy—”ethics,” to be exact—in my first year at what was then Miami Dade Community College. The radically open, imaginative yet temperate exchange of ideas was electric. The environment exemplified a “love of wisdom” I had rarely encountered in formal educational settings. And while I was lucky to grow up in a family where questioning and debate were normal, the philosophy classroom was different. Virtually nothing was taken for granted as “self-evident.” There was a lot of listening and diverse perspectives were given ample space to stretch out to their fullest development. I went on to earn a BA in Humanities and Master of Liberal Studies from Rollins College before going to FAU for a PhD.
Since 2010 I’ve been sharing my love of ideas and belief in the power of the humanities to facilitate self-actualization as a professor, in the college classroom. I’ve taught a variety of courses in philosophy, ethics, humanities, and gender studies. Though I learned a lot as a student, nothing has taught me more than being a crafting and teaching courses like “Freedom and Justice,” “Men and Masculinities,” “Sex, Violence, and Hollywood,” “Humanistic Traditions I,” “Introduction to Ethics,” “Creative and Critical Thinking,” and “Gender and Sport.” Putting ideas to the test, in dialogue with students, has been integral to my intellectual growth. That and being privileged to call “work” studying and discussing great ideas.
Along the way I’ve been a full-time father, civically engaged citizen, and public speaker. In my public speaking I’ve attempting to bridge the gap between the “ivory” tower and ordinary life. Scholars aren’t always the best at communicating ideas to a general public. And that’s a shame. Too many great ideas are obscured by the high walls of jargon and academic detachment from the elemental goal of life: living well and activating our fullest humanity. Flourishing, in a word.
In this newsletter I’ll be sharing great quotes from unheralded thinkers, questioning “common sense” beliefs, applying humanistic insights to everyday existence, and reminding readers of why the humanities are so vital to our goal of self-actualization.
These posts are reader-supported and freely accessible. If you liked this post please share it with others and subscribe. Those wishing to support this work may also purchase a paid subscription or donate through PayPal. For more about my work go to JeffreyNall.com and find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
