NICK YOUNGINER

EDUCATION INFO:
BA Anthropology, University of South Carolina 2006
AAS Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University 2003

SUBFIELD:
Cultural Anthropology

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Middle East, Islam, Lebanon, Ethnic/ National Identity, Citizenship

MA THESIS PROJECT:
The Lebanese Nationality Law of 1925 states that only children of a Lebanese father may carry Lebanese nationality, prohibiting women from passing Lebanese nationality to their children if they marry a non-Lebanese man. The exclusive term used within this law is ‘nationality’, not ‘citizenship’; however the implications of the Nationality Law affect rights that are commonly associated with citizenship, such as access to state education. The wording of the law raises questions as to the meanings of these terms and how women potentially affected by the law negotiate those meanings. During the summer of 2008 Lebanese women living in Manhattan, New York were interviewed using a semi-structured format to access their notions of nationality, citizenship, and more generally their own identities as Lebanese immigrants. Based on the notions held by the participants, this article will investigate the intersection of the meanings of ‘nationality’ and ‘citizenship’ held by Lebanese immigrant women using the Nationality Law of 1925 as a framework and comparative element to the participants’ notions.

PAPERS/POSTERS PRESENTED :
“Melting in the Melting Pot: Lebanese Immigrant Identity After 9/11”

• Presented at Anthropology Departmental Fall Colloquium Series 2006,
• South Carolina Anthropology Student Conference- Clemson University , 2007
• University of South Carolina “Discovery Day” for Undergraduate Research

CONFERENCES ATTENDED:
SCASC 2007
MESA 2006

FELLOWSHIPS:
Magellan Scholars Undergraduate Research Fellowship - 2006


E-MAIL:
younginn@mailbox.sc.edu