Dr. Amanda Lewis-Nang'ea is a specialist in African history and the history of science, focusing on the history of pastoralists and wildlife conservation in East Africa. Her work blends oral histories of the Maasai, scientists, conservationists, and wildlife management with archival and scientific research.
On Leave (Fall 2024)
Dr. Lewis-Nang'ea is on research leave, Fall 2024.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
B.A., King University, Bristol, TN
M.A., East Tennessee State University
Ph.D., Michigan State University
Classes
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HIST 284: Topic: Madagascar
A broad study of a particular topic in Latin America/Caribbean/Asia/Africa/Native American (LACAANA) history or global/world histories. Topics could be defined either by time, theme, or space or on a comparative topic, depending on the professor’s expertise. Previous courses have included histories of global sexology, early India, African nationalism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and science, among others.
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HIST 505: Readings in African History
This course will explore important themes, debates, and methods in the field of African history. Our study of this history will introduce you to the ways historians of Africa have shaped our understanding of the continent as well as Africanists' contributions to the discipline as a whole. The course will include historiographical, social, and political debates that shaped African historical narratives. We will also explore the history of gender, race, religion, state formation, colonialism, and the environment as ways to ask questions about the African past. We will also discuss the methods and sources scholars use to write about Africa.
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WRTG 105: Wrtg: Global Sports
This course lays the foundation for students to participate insightfully in both written and oral academic conversations. The course focuses on three modes of written and oral communication: communication as an ongoing persuasive dialogue with multiple audiences, communication with a reflective self, and communication with a dynamic evolving text. The course also introduces elements of information literacy and critical thinking needed to develop and evaluate academic conversation. Writing Seminar is typically taken by new students in their first two semesters, often as the introduction to general education, to our library, and to academic support services as sites of collaboration rather than remediation. As many new students' only seminar-style class, Writing Seminar can help lay the foundations of not only academic but also social success.
Guidelines for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation or Reference for Dr. Lewis-Nang’ea
Part of my job is writing letters of recommendation or providing a reference for my students who apply to jobs, graduate school, internships, or awards. In order to make this a transparent process, here are some guidelines for asking me for a recommendation or reference. Following these will not ensure that I say yes to you, but will give you a good idea about how to go about the process effectively with me or other professors.
- Choose faculty who know you well. It is really hard to write a glowing letter for someone who sits quietly in my class but may make good grades. If I never see you in office hours or don’t have some way of making a stronger connection, I may not be able to write the strongest recommendation. Keep this in mind in all your classes. Ideally, we should have had conversations outside of class, you should demonstrate that you had interest in the course material, and demonstrated leadership or problem-solving skills in class. Plan ahead. You need to think about how I view your performance in my class.
- Make a formal request. You should ideally do this in person, but you can also send this by email (for example, if a request is needed over the summer). You will need to provide material that will help me write the best letter or give the strongest recommendation. This includes, but is not limited to, information about the program/job/internship/ you are applying to, a record of relevant coursework, explanation of research or essays you completed in my classes, experiences outside the classroom (this may be a CV or resume), and a personal statement, which is 2-3 paragraphs describing your interest and preparation for the position you are applying for.
- Ask early. I need a minimum of 3 weeks before the due date, and ideally more than a month. I may decline to write this if you wait too close to the deadline or I don’t feel I’ve been given enough time and materials to write the letter. Remember that I am doing this on top of my other work and responsibilities.
- Permissions associated with references/letters of recommendation. Do not give my name as a reference until I have agreed to do the reference. If you wish me to speak specifically to your grades and details of your performance in class, please submit a signed confidentiality waiver. You must also waive your right to see my letter of recommendation.
- I will only send letters directly to the school, internship supervisor or employer. Please don’t ask me to give you the letter to send, even when the instructions say to do this. Find a contact for me to submit the letter on your behalf.
- Keep me updated. This is not required, but it is nice to hear about my students’ success and the outcome of your applications.