Amanda von Argyriadis

Welcome to my biographical home page!

Full time student, part time horse trainer

Academically, I am a late bloomer. In 1999 I put a hold to my life long equine aspirations (which had taken me all the way to the 1992 World Cup in Show Jumping) to return to university and earn a BSFS at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service in May of 2002. My reading while at Georgetown focused on international history and also medieval studies, for which I earned a certificate of excellence. Continuing on to George Mason University, I earned an MA in Early Modern European history in 2005 while holding a TA position in both Western Civ. and American history. I really enjoyed the teaching gig, which I understand is something of an anomaly. I love helping people find their interest and strength in life, all the while defining my own in the process.

My Equine CV will show you what I've been doing for 30 years...even while I'm in school full time....

“Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than his pupils; it is moreover the way to win the favour of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one in later life. It causes man to seek and to accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position.” Bertrand Russell

I have lived all over the world, and some Virginians tell me I sound funny when I talk. Nonetheless I like it here just fine in Warrenton, where I live with my husband August, an attorney who is also a GMU (law) graduate. Each day we make the commute from our little farm where we keep a horse (My Dutch Love), two Connemara ponies (Felix and Harry), a Jack Russell (Lucy), a barn cat (Diana), and Rustle, the pot bellied pig who rocks our world. I still teach and train in the horse world as time allows, but the closer I get to my dissertation, the less time I have to ride and teach. We love polo, cooking, art, travel, gardening, music, and enjoy life in general.

My future studies will focus on the influence of immigration on 20th century American culture, among other things. I really enjoy this academic life and intend to stay in it as long as possible, with aspirations of teaching and writing history until I‘m too old and they kick me out.

Dissertations suggestions and comments are welcome! Please!

Major American history, 20th century cultural

Minor European history, 20th century cultural

Click here to view my equine CV: http://mason.gmu.edu/~avonargy/amandacv

Click here to view my design assignment: http://mason.gmu.edu/avonargy/designassignment

Click here to view my text assignment: http://mason.gmu.edu/avonargy/typoassignment

Click here to view my final project http:/mason.gmu.edu/~avonargy/finalgermany

c.Amanda von Argyriadis avonargy@gmu.edu

Website last updated August, 2006