May 8, 2015—Think fast! Alison Kaufman, a doctoral student in the SOMD’s musicology program (far left in this photo), placed first in the University of Oregon Graduate School's Three-Minute Thesis Competition on Friday, May 1.

 

Kaufman's research presentation, "Benevento vs. Charlemagne," concerns decoding Benedictine chants for modern singers, and placed the survivial of Benedictine chant within the historical context of relgious and political history of 8th century Europe.

 

Kaufman and the runners-up will represent the UO in the Three Minute Thesis Statewide Championship against the top three presenters from Oregon State University, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), and Portland State University. The Statewide Championship will take place on Saturday, May 16.

 

No matter how busy you may be, we suspect you'll be able to make time to watch Kaufman's three-minute thesis, below.