Christopher James Simonson received his BA in Classical Archaeology at Saint Anselm College in 2015, and received his MA in Classical Languages at the University of Missouri in 2019. Returning to the University of Missouri in 2022, he is in the process of completing a PhD in Ancient Mediterranean Studies. In addition to archaeological field experience in Umbria, Italy, Chris has conducted field research and study in Greece, France, and Spain. In addition to other teaching experience at the K-12 level, he has had the opportunity to teach as lead instructor several undergraduate classes during his time at the University of Missouri, such as Elementary Latin (LATIN 1100 and 1200), Norse Mythology (REL_ST 2260), and Harry Potter, Magic, and Religion (REL_ST 2240).

Chris’ doctoral dissertation examines shamanism and the Indo-Uralic literary corpus. He analyzes shamanism through the lenses of religious theory, neuroscientific literature, and psychology, and applies these concepts to the Indo-Uralic literary corpus, such as the Odyssey, Aeneid, Norse Eddas, Beowulf, and the Kalevala.