Bibliographical research
James Porter, Professor
Rhetoric
Open. Apprentices needed for the fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 21st. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31st, 4pm.
Philosophy bibliographical research, collection, and digital scanning, with a special focus on the ancient Cynics and their afterlife, from the 4th century BC to the present.
Role: Students will gain proficiency in navigating scholarship by learning to track bibliographical references and cataloguing the results using RIS files that can be converted into a digital bibliographical software. RIS files can be accessed through Berkeley's online library catalogue or WorldCat.
Most of the research can be carried out online. Items that require physical scanning will be scanned in our department copy machine in Dwinelle.
While most of the leads will come from me, I will also ask students to develop bibliographical leads of their own to supplement my knowledge. For instance, investigating Cynic-like behavior in contemporary society (20th century to the present), especially in protest art and performances, would be an area where this could be most helpful. To prepare for this, I will assign some light readings in the Cynic tradition so that students can develop a feel for this still understudied research topic. I taught a course on this topic in Spring 2025 and will share my syllabus and linked files from there.
The methods used for these tasks will be explained. They will be invaluable to any student interested in becoming proficient in higher level academic research skills.
Hours: negotiable.
Qualifications: Though much of the research will involve European languages (French, German, Italian, rarely Spanish or Dutch), as well as English language sources, foreign language proficiency is not a prerequisite. Being detail-oriented, patient, hard-working, and meticulous matters more. Internet sleuthing skills will be an advantage. An interest in the topic (social, political, and ethical critique; historical perspectives; philosophy made into a form of event and action) would be a useful motivation to have.
Hours: to be negotiated
Arts & Humanities