Welcome to Doug's World
I started Doug's World in 1996. It is amazing how time goes by so quickly. It's difficult for me to imagine that the Web is that old. Further, what does that say about me?
The PhD
In case you don't know me, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at the University of Nebraska. I broke away from my life as a professional cubicle dweller to return to life as a graduate student. I thought, fantastic! I'll be able to wake up whenever I want and have a great time. The reality is that I have never worked as hard in my life.
The Dissertation
I recently settled on a topic for my dissertation. I am studying the nature of different levels of constraint placed upon individuals by government, and how that affects the proportion of selfish or altruistic individuals in the population. I should complete the dissertation sometime in 2009. My advisor for this adventure is Kevin B. Smith.
My Professional Research Interests
In addition to my dissertation, I am working on a variety of research projects. These are primarily in conjunction with the Political Physiology Lab at the University of Nebraska. The focus of my research is on biological approaches to understanding human social institutions, particularly those involving governance.
My Teaching
I am honored to have an assistantship that allows me to teach at the University. Once again, I am teaching the introductory course on the role of public agencies in the American system of government (POLS 210 - Bureaucracy and the American Political System). I have also recently taught an introduction to American government course (POLS 100), and a public issues course (POLS 232).
I also have interests in teaching public policy, the role of technology (particularly the Internet) on government, and an examination of biological approaches to political science. However, I haven't been scheduled to teach in those areas yet.
My other interests
My interests and professions have varied over the years, and so has this website. On the site, I have some samples of my photography. I also have some blog-style writing I did about films I saw from 1998-2001. It was called, "Tuesday Movie Night". Some of the emails I sent were funny, and some were sad. Others were sad because they weren't funny.
I do some things that are not detailed on the site. Sometimes I enjoy getting on one of my bikes and tooling around the trails in Lincoln. I also followed my grandfather and father in becoming an amateur winemaker (vintner?). I bottle under the "Vin de Doug" and "Oxley Manor" labels, and some people have lived for several years after drinking my wine.
My prior profession could best be described as software developer. I still do some consulting on the side, but my main profession now is my teaching and research. Regardless, I still enjoy developing applications and web sites once in a while.
Please enjoy this site. That is, unless the enjoyment would break some law or offend you in some way. If that's the case, then please move on to some other site. I don't need that hassle, and we don't want your easily offended kind around here anyway. :^)