Introduction

Hello!

My name is Nathan and I am really excited to be participating in the Honors program for History 105. I took History 104 with Professor Lane over the summer, and really enjoyed the way she facilitated and taught the class. I have been interested in English History for a while, so it is great to finally study it; especially through Professor Lane’s online format.

I’m going to be a second-year at UCLA in the fall, and will be concurrently enrolled at both schools for the quarter. At UCLA, I am pursuing a History/Study of Religion B.A. with a minor in Urban Planning. I am really interested in urban development, which requires a fair understanding of history. For example, I spent some time in Ferguson, Missouri this summer doing service work and learned that many of the community’s problems have long-standing institutional roots. I believe that in order to create happy and safe neighborhoods, we must understand — or at least be familiar with — the neighborhood’s history. I have always wanted to have a career in civic service, so it is neat to start aligning my academic interests with my career ambitions.

For my research topic, I would like to study serial killer Jack the Ripper’s effect on city planning in London. While they are known more for their horrific and unsolved murder spree, Jack the Ripper brought to light many of urbanization’s socioeconomic problems. I am interested in tracking the urban development of London from the time of his murders onwards; hoping to create some connection(s) between his actions and the city’s later urban reforms. I think this topic could produce an interesting final project by the end of the semester.

Looking forward to working with you and Professor Lane for the next couple of months!