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Andrés Melo Cousineau
Toronto, Canada
amelo14@gmail.com
EXPERIENCE
PhD Research, “Charles Taylor’s philosophy and the critique by the “Straussian” Aristotle in the context of Classical Political Philosophy”, Toronto, 2003-2008. Research with interruptions given full-time recovery process from ankylosing spondylitis. Due date variable depending on recovery (2009?).
Creation Internet Blog “Rarefactions”, an attempt at reflection, Toronto, 2006-2008. www.amelo14.wordpress.com
“Rarefaction actually means “a decrease in density and pressure in a medium, such as air, caused by the passage of a sound wave”. Rarefaction decreases the density and the pressure of who we are. In decreasing the density, it allows for a certain openness which may be frightening at first, but which nonetheless is required in order to remain in open expectation to the puzzles which underlie our human nature. And moreover, in decreasing the pressure —which includes the very the pressure of our modern lives—- it allows for the first appearance of the possibility of a happiness which leads beyond what we normally consider to be the foundations of our material success in the utilitarian vein. In contrast, rarefaction may open us to the possibility of a happiness which has been lost to our tradition, that happiness whose explicit defense lies in the most important ethical text ever written, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.”
Faculty Professor, Universidad Javeriana, part-time, Santafé de Bogotá, 2002-2003.
- Lecturer for courses: “Political Philosophy I” as well as “Philosophy of History V”.
- Received a grading of “Good-Excellent” by the University Professor Grading System.
- Simultaneous development of PhD program in Political Philosophy with outstanding results while recovering from serious physical illness. (A+)
- Translation of philosophical texts.
- In charge of implementing both English and French postgraduate entrance exams.
- Currently researching and writing PhD thesis: Taylor and Aristotle. Expected completion, 2009.
Certified Member ATIO, Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Associate Status Granted August 2003. Certified status granted July 2004 (English-Spanish).
TESL, Toronto, Ontario, Seeking certification after finishing TESL Certificate Program at Benns International Schools. September–November 2003. (A+ average; practicum pending)
EFL Teacher and Official Translator, Centro Colombo Americano, Santafé de Bogotá, 1990-95, 1997-2001.
- Cooperated extensively in creating a closely knit teaching and learning community which had personally geared developmental programs for teachers through highly qualified and experienced co-workers acting as “Assistant Developers”. Was ranked as ‘Outstanding’ by three of them.
- Participated actively in TDTS sessions (Teacher Development Training Sessions)
- Taught very creatively and with great success the advanced course on Literature entitled “Let’s Celebrate Literature” following the excellent text “World Writer’s Today”, a multicultural approach to literary understanding. Developed one “computer-magazine” with the student’s textual analysis of the different short stories.
- Actively and imaginatively created multiple ways of aiding student learning within an eclectic and communicative approach to EFL language teaching. Contributed to clarity in grammatical presentations as well as developed language games and motivating activities within the classroom. Developed great interpersonal skills through the monthly change of classes made up of students differentiated both by age (adults and adolescents) as well as by socio-economic background.
- Frequently gave private tutoring at all levels. Compiled a set of readings in order for the student to benefit as much as possible from these quite expensive classes.
- Specialized in the advanced course on Writing and Expression; editing of student magazine with poetry, articles and creative thought.
- Taught the advanced Grammar course entitled “Enjoying Grammar” by implementing a topic-based structured course characterized by having a communicative and contextualized approach. Created multiple data bases for different grammar topics.
- Participated in all language development programs within the CCA, and obtained ‘Certificates’ in different English Language Teaching Symposiums.
Paper translations and private classes, Self-employed, (Banks: Citibank, Banco Ganadero, Lloyds Bank; English Institutions: Elite, Life; Pharmaceutical Laboratories: Merck, Sharp and Dohme; Petroleum Companies: Swaco, Schlumberger; Importers: Danisco Ingredients; Telecommunication companies: Radiotronica, Celumovil; Hospitals: Fundación Cardio-Infantil; Public Corporations: Colciencias). Translated multiple medical investigation protocols for Merck, Sharp and Dohme (Protocols: MK954/937-0A, MK-733 985-0A, Cuprimine, Pepcidine, MK-0991 and Montelukast vs Beclomethasone), ”Inhibition of Thromboxane”, “Basic Clinical Research Coordinator Training Program”, “Nasal and septal fractures”, Protocol V210, INVIMA Decree 677, as well as different kinds of official papers, juridical (Birth, Death and Marriage certificates) and economic texts (Income Tax forms, Public deeds), multiple translations in Toronto including work on the AIDS Conference 2006, 1997-present.
Simultaneous translations, Self-employed, i) Ministerio de Comercio Exterior “Taller Sobre Cuestiones Aduaneras; Acceso al Mercado en la Ronda de Uruguay”, June 2-6 1997, Cartagena de Indias, and, ii) “Taiwan Trade Mission to Central and South America”, Interlink Enterprise Co., June, 1997 iii) “Amway Seminar on Customer Focused Quality”, August 25 and 26, 1997, and iv) Caricom-Colombia Negotiations on International Trade, Ministry of Commerce, February 1998, v) XEROX new products and management (3-day seminar), April 1998, vi) OKIDATA printers, May 6, 1998, v) Electronic Commerce May 7, 1998.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. candidate, Political Philosophy, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 2001- up to the present.
- Publication article University Student Journal Cuadrantephi.
- Winner of the first Javeriana University “Open Professor Position Contest” (2001) with a comparative article: “On Language: Heidegger and Taylor”.
- Outstanding average up to the present A+
M.A., Political Science, University of Toronto, 1995-96
- Final Outstanding Grade Point Average of A/A-.
2. Seminars: Nichomachean Ethics (Pangle), Problems of Political Community (Carens) Freud and Plato on Eros, Albert Camus.
3. Finished under severe conditions of illness.
Official English Language Translator Certificate, Santafé de Bogotá, November 1996
(Outstanding exam score of 89 over 100.)
B.A., Philosophy and Literature, Universidad de los Andes, Santafé de Bogotá, 1990-95
- Final Outstanding Grade Point Average of 4.6 over 5.0 (‘A+’ average)
- Magna Cum Laude Thesis: “Nietzsche: Transformations on his Perspective of Art and its Relationship to Ethical Responsibility”
- Participated actively through written work and oral discussions in the internal forums.
Joint Honours Program, McGill University, Montreal, 1986-90
- Political Science and Philosophy
- High Grade Point Average A-/B+ in a very demanding program with some of the most renowned Canadian professors (e.g. Charles Taylor)
OTHER SKILLS
Art Web Pages,
- www.bubbleshare.com (do a search for amelo14; photography and art);
- www.amelo14.deviantart.com (older site with art as well as journals dealing with art)
Language and Computer Proficiency,
- Completely fluent in Spanish and English language skills: Completely fluent in French reading; good in writing and speaking. Ancient Greek skills. Use of Windows XP, Office XP, and Internet. Some HTML.
International Focus,
- Having lived and studied for long periods of time in both a Latin-American and a North-American setting, I have begun to better understand these distinct cultures.
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