I'm Salvatore - or Sal for short! I graduated cum laude from the University of Rhode Island as a History and Anthropology Double Major with a Minor in Art History. Currently, I am a Graduate Student at the University of Massachusetts Boston where I have finished my coursework and progressed into writing my thesis! My passion for the Arts and Humanities began in high school where my favorite subjects were History and English Literature. Once undergraduate coursework began, my exposure to...
I'm Salvatore - or Sal for short! I graduated cum laude from the University of Rhode Island as a History and Anthropology Double Major with a Minor in Art History. Currently, I am a Graduate Student at the University of Massachusetts Boston where I have finished my coursework and progressed into writing my thesis! My passion for the Arts and Humanities began in high school where my favorite subjects were History and English Literature. Once undergraduate coursework began, my exposure to archaeology only expanded my love for all things research, analysis and writing related. One of the greatest challenges I believe people face when studying the arts and non-physical sciences is moving beyond memorizing facts and dates and into a greater comprehension of the concepts, motives and meanings that shape our disciplines.
During my time at URI, I was not only an Anthropology major and member of the Lambda Alpha National Honor Society, but also a Teaching Assistant for two separate anthropology classes. This role continued in graduate school, along with my more advanced understanding of Archaeology through graduate coursework. Through studying, lab work and actual field excavations, my progress towards my Master's Degree in Historical Archaeology is almost complete! The greatest thing an archaeologist can offer is a voice to the voiceless - those who have been silenced by history, excluded from the written record. Archaeologists dig up artifacts which belonged to real people with a real past and through them we try to understand their story.
In addition to my Anthropology major, I undertook a variety of History classes spanning Ancient times to the present. My senior capstone essay was written on the Ancient Greeks, but my favorite class of all was on Modern Europe. History is deep and broad, but it is most important to understand the cause for people's actions throughout it and not simply the date in which they occurred. Knowing April 12, 1861 was the start of the American Civil War can only get a student so far when asked to describe the South's desire to secede.
Rather than take a myriad of electives, I opted to spend my extra credits minoring in Art History. This, combined with my History degree coalesced into a wonderful appreciation for the talents of artists and architects - ancient and modern alike. Much like my passion for Anthropology, I shared my enthusiasm for Art History in a Teaching Assistant role for an introductory Art History class. I believe anyone can get a better perspective on art with a better grasp of the artist's meaning - if there is one at all - their background, and their intended audience.
I wish to share my passion and enthusiasm for the humanities with others and guide them along a path to discovery. I am always easy to reach and to continue learning. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
