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Each time she reads a new book or article for her senior honors thesis, Jennifer Cilia ’02 finds herself looking at the world in a new way.
Cilia, a government and law major and philosophy minor, says her research on whether globalization is a viable concept and whether it can expand human rights has led her to question the very nature and existence of such rights.
“I had a lot of questions when I started and I still have questions, but they’re less general now,” she says.
Kevin Cameron, visiting assistant professor of government and law and Cilia’s thesis adviser, has found that Cilia is serious about her research. “She’s very conscientious about her work and she’s quite thoughtful,” he says. “She’s very much conversant with the theoretical aspects and her viewpoint is becoming more philosophical.”
Cilia says Cameron has helped her find applicable readings, talk about her concerns, and focus her ideas. “He has done an outstanding job,” she says. “It’s reassuring to know that I’m just an office visit away from such a wealth of knowledge.” Cilia believes the thesis research will help her pursue her goals of earning a law degree and working as a political analyst for the government or a news organization.
Cilia, who spent the spring 2001 semester studying in London, worked as an EXCEL Scholar last fall with Alexandra Cooper Sheaves, assistant professor of government and law. The project involved helping develop a computer game in which players try to figure out how to make a candidate win based on political action committee money.
A graduate of Arlington High School, Cilia is a two-year participant in the McKelvy Scholars Program. She plays violin in the String Ensemble, is a member of the Williams Center for the Arts Advisory Committee, and serves as an usher at the Williams Center.