For Honors Thesis in Scotland
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Sean McKinniss poses during his trip to Scotland. |
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Sean McKinniss, Wittenberg University class of 2006, wasn't satisfied with just studying the political climate of Scotland from afar. He was willing to step out of his comfort zone to experience it for himself, and thanks to a grant from the Wittenberg Faculty Research Fund Board, McKinniss did just that this summer.
McKinniss, of Springfield, Ohio, is a political science and Russian area studies double major at Wittenberg who is working on an honors thesis about the Scottish National Party (SNP) and how it has struggled, since the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in 1999, to further Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. He traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, from July 17-Aug. 1 to further his studies and to experience the culture firsthand.
"I found that the experience has been more efficient and productive than I expected," McKinniss said. "The SNP officials and the National Library of Scotland librarians provided me with more materials than I initially asked for. They gave me several bagfuls of free books, brochures, election platform guides and a host of other historical papers. They are very passionate about Scottish independence, and their generosity shows that.
"(As a result) I will be able to research more efficiently. I'll also promote the Faculty Research Fund Board grants to other students. It's a great opportunity."
McKinniss interviewed members of the Scottish Parliament and officials of the SNP during his trip, and he gave all who helped him with his research books and gifts about Springfield and Wittenberg University. Many of the recipients responded that the books and gifts reminded them that the United States is not just a couple of major cities on the coasts, but a wide-ranging nation with many people and places in between.
James Allan, assistant professor of political science, is McKinniss adviser who encouraged the senior-to-be to make the trip by providing information to aid his research. George Hudson, professor of political science and chair of Russian studies, and Joe OConnor, professor of history, are advising McKinniss as thesis readers as well.
The faculty member who did the most to make the trip a success, however, is in a field that has little to do with political science. Daniel Fleisch, associate professor of physics, allowed McKinniss to stay with him in a rental property in Edinburgh, where Fleisch is spending several months studying during his sabbatical. McKinniss and Fleisch had traveled together to the United Kingdom in December 2003 as part of a Wittenberg group visiting historical sites, so it was a natural for Fleisch to open his temporary home to McKinniss.
"I'm very thankful to Dr. Fleisch for all of his support and assistance, especially because he provided me with lodgings and access to historical sites throughout Scotland," said McKinniss, who plans to attend law school in the future. "He made the trip very engaging."
McKinniss was one of several Wittenberg students to make presentations at the Midwest Slavic Conference at The Ohio State University last winter. He hopes to present his new research, centering on the SNPs difficult decisions regarding Scottish independence, at another political science conference this school year.
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