American Studies Week: Interview with Lance Tillman
November 21, 2013
Tell us about your professional background and education.
I was born, educated, and am working to become the teacher.
Why did you decide to work at Â鶹´«Ã½?
The opportunity to work at Â鶹´«Ã½ was an extraordinary opportunity to experience a new culture, nation, and group of students in the post-Soviet work.
Which courses do you teach? What methods of teaching do you follow?
I teach FYS; writing and content, World Religion, American Literature courses, Novels to Film, American Culture through Short Stories, American Culture, and more.
Who are Â鶹´«Ã½ students? How do they differ from students of other universities?
I find that the students at Â鶹´«Ã½ are very much like other studies in other universities around the world. They have strengths such as not only surviving but also some excelling in a university culture that is not clearly one thing. Students here are expected to adapt and learn in a second language. Furthermore, the students learn in an academic culture that is a unique mixture of the Kyrgyzstan post-soviet system combined with the American system.
Why is the American Studies department interesting?
American Studies places an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences in a uniquely inter-disciplinary, liberal arts program embracing the world’s most influential culture and preparing students to embrace a changing world teaching students to study, analyze, and evaluate the greater ideas they are confronted with after graduating.
You are one of the faculty members, who work at Â鶹´«Ã½ for a long time, and stay in our country. What is special about Kyrgyzstan?
When I had the opportunity to teach for Â鶹´«Ã½, I wanted to know if I could be successful outside of the comfort of my native country. What I found was that the students here gave me challenges, good challenges. Kyrgyzstan keeps me learning.
Please tell us a little about yourself. How do you spend your free time? Do you have any hobbies?
I like to read a variety subjects. I sail, do you?
