TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Here are posted short bios of Arne’s teaching and marking assistants. If you are interested in applying for work as an assistant please contact Arne for further instructions and criteria. In general, all assistants must meet the following conditions:

1) be enrolled in a graduate programme (Masters or PhD level) at an accredited instutition, ideally in History or International Relations, although other programmes may be acceptable

2) be able and willing to work in accordance with the class timetables Arne has in the given term

3) be able and willing to work as part of a team and to have an interactive approach to teaching and learning

4) be genuinely committed to teaching with an obvious enthusiasm and desire to learn.

Kris Kobold

Kris Kobold holds a Hon.B.A. and an M.A., both from the University of Toronto. Kris had been enrolled for three years in the Ph.D. programme at the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, studying Old English and Medieval Latin language and literature, but left that programme after three years to pursue a B.Ed. degree (English and History concentrations) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education over the 2008-9 academic year. Kris seems to be making something of career of being a teaching assistant at Ryerson; apparently, he just can’t get enough of it! Since 2006, he’s taught in every Fall and Winter term in either Ryerson’s History or English departments. You can contact him at kris.kobold@utoronto.ca.

Heather Metcalfe

Heather Metcalfe recently finished her doctorate in History at the University of Toronto, specializing in the Canada’s role in international relations. Her dissertation, which focuses on public opinion and the entry into the Second World War, also deals with Quebec’s role within Canada, how Canadians define themselves and how Canadian shaped their perceptions of the international system. She can be reached at heather.metcalfe@ryerson.ca.

Jennifer Grant

Jen did her undergraduate and MA at the University of Toronto. She did a double major in English and History with a minor in political science. Her MA was in History, with a focus on the culture of the cold war, foreign intervention in Africa (1945-1995) and the role of intelligence (in both areas). She has recently completed her PhD at Cambridge University. Her thesis, Desperate Measures: The Internment of British Fascists during the Second World War, was a case study in the use of executive power by a liberal democratic government. She’s interested in understanding the balance of security and civil liberties in times of peace and war. Jen loves to travel. Her favourite places are Thailand and southern Africa. After finishing her PhD, she visited Egypt and Oman, and spent time in India and scuba diving off the coasts of Malaysia and Borneo. All said though, after five years abroad, she’s very happy to be back at home in Toronto. You can reach Jen at jengrant@rogers.blackberry.net

Leila Hoda

Leila holds an MSc. in Development Management (specializing in humanitarian affairs) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. For her Master’s dissertation (titled: Coordinating Humanitarian Response in Northern Uganda: Noble Dream, Elusive Reality) she conducted field research in northern Uganda, analyzing the effectives of the United Nation’s humanitarian reform agenda. Leila has a B.Comm. Degree from Ryerson University, where she survived three courses with Arne, including HST 504 and HST 500! She loves to travel and has been to over 20 countries. She also loves watching The Colbert Report! She can be reached at leilahoda@hotmail.com

Mike Sage

Mike Sage is an award-winning filmmaker and graduate of Ryerson’s Documentary Media MFA program. He is predominantly interested in producing hybrid documentaries which explore social and scientific conundrums. He is currently completing a feature-length documentary (www.survivalofthefabulous.com) that tackles the history and evolutionary mystery of homosexuality, with research and filming taking place in Chicago, Lethbridge, Montana and Toronto. He received a BFA in film from Ryerson as well. During his tenure, he took nearly a dozen history courses, including three with Arne (International Relations: 1900-1945, Espionage and European History 1300-1700) as well as the Cold War, Understanding International Relations and the History of Science and Technology. Mike’s multidisciplinary interests in history include both classical and modern European history, the development of science from the Victorian Era to the current day and the symbiotic connection and implementation of history and science in film, television and interactive gaming. Mike has also worked as a TA for documentary production and screenwriting in Ryerson’s Image Arts. He also currently works as a television writer and editor and has worked on several episodes of the hit cable makeover show Style By Jury. This is his second year TA-ing for the History of Espionage. He can be reached at mikewsage@gmail.com