michael bodkin

ph.d student

About

Published graduate of the Master of Arts (Theology) program at Western University seeking to integrate and promote skills into a full time career in education, counselling, research, and writing. As a frontline-crisis call centre volunteer, I am adept at immediate problem solving in client-centred environments while maintaining high standards in confidentiality. My academic interests lie within the intersection of poststructural Christian thought, aesthetics, and their immediate relation to cultural politics. My research and daily thought focuses on kitsch and the Christian experience. I am also deeply fascinated with advancements in imagination, the arts, inspiration, creativity, and psychoanalysis.

Country

canada

City

canada

Industry

higher education

Skill

theology, public speaking, research, teaching, community outreach, nonprofits, volunteer management, fundraising, leadership, writing, academic tutoring, aesthetics, psychology, editing, history, nonprofit organizations

Experience

ph.d student

assistant store manager

starbucks

2016-12 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

By bringing people together over coffee, Starbucks has become one of the world's best-known and best-loved companies. We purchase, roast and serve award-winning coffee. We also offer Italian-style espresso beverages, cold blended beverages, delicious food, premium teas and selected compact discs through our retail stores. Working at Starbucks is a lot like working with your friends. When you work here, you're not an "employee" – we call ourselves "partners" because we believe in shared common goals and mutual success. We're dedicated to serving ethically sourced coffee, caring for the environment and giving back to the communities where we do business.Starbucks is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals, including minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Education

huron university

theological studies

2011-1 - 2015-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Completed alongside the Master of Arts (Theology) program in alternating years (2011 and 2015). Activities and Societies: Luxton Prize in New Testament Studies, Presenter for the MacNaughton Awards ceremony, Bishop Hallam Theological Society (BHTS)

mcmaster university

religious studies

2009-1 - 2011-1 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Upper-year seminars included Western Religious Thought and Pilgrimage studies.

mcmaster university

2006-1 - 2009-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

western university

theology

2012-1 - 2015-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Direct link to thesis: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3772/ My research focuses on theological aesthetics. My thesis discusses the history of kitsch culture the implications it presents to Christianity by integrating the theology of Swiss Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar with the cultural politics and soft critique of Christianity as analyzed by Slavoj Žižek. Activities and Societies: I had the honour of being a Guest Lecturer at the Religion and Popular Culture undergraduate course, hosted at Huron University College. I also presented for a meeting of the American Academy of Religion: Eastern International Region, hosted at the University of Toronto.