Undergraduate Courses Taught

 
 

ENG 203 World Literature

The overarching purpose of ENG 203: World Literature is to acquaint students with reading and writing about a range of world literature that is geographically, historically, and generically diverse. We read narratives written in a variety of historical eras, in a variety of places around the world, and in a variety of forms and genres. In my sections of World Literature, readings and discussion loosely follow the themes of the global Middle Ages and global medievalisms. Students do not need any prior academic study of these topics, or of world literature in general, in order to succeed in this class. Instead, students are encouraged to draw connections between the course themes and their own academic, personal, and professional interests.

Last taught: Spring 2022

ENG 340 Analysis of Literature

In my section of ENG 340 Analysis of Literature, we engage with that most infamous of Old English poems—Beowulf—as our constant companion through the historiography of English studies, movements in critical theory, and the core English major skills of literary analysis. We read multiple translations of Beowulf, from J. R. R. Tolkien to Maria Dahvana Headley, and trace evolving approaches to the poem. Not only will successful students have an intimate familiarity with Beowulf by the end of this course, but they will also be prepared to apply their expertise in literary analysis and critical theory to remaining coursework in the English major or minor.

Last taught: Fall 2023

ENG 350 Survey of Early British Literature

How does literature shape our culture, our history, and our individual selves? This survey explores British literature from the eighth century through the eighteenth century. Students read authors and texts that are considered part of the “canon” of English literature, as well as their less canonical—though no less important—contemporaries. We explore the relationship between literature and history, through stories that reimagine both the present and the past of their own historical moment, from the beginnings of English literature to the dawn of the British Empire. We also explore aspects of British literature beyond English, including texts translated from Latin, French, and Celtic languages and texts inspired by or commenting on other parts of Europe and the world.

Last taught: Fall 2023

ENG 400 Capstone

Topic - Camelot: Medieval Legend and Modern Fantasy

The legends of King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table at Camelot have been quite at home in the English literary imaginary for centuries. In this Capstone seminar, we investigate: why? Why are the ideals of chivalric romance so compelling and yet so easily spoofed? Why is it so appealing to await a ‘once and future king’? Why are these knights and these forbidden romances the stories to which we return again and again, even when we already know how the story will end? The story of Camelot frames our consideration of genres across centuries of literary history, considering early legends as well as adaptations, satires, and reimaginings.

Last taught: Fall 2020

ENG 406 History of the English Language

ENG 406, History of the English Language, is fully online and asynchronous—there will be no required full-class synchronous meetings, though office hours and individual or small-group meetings will be available to help students succeed in the course.

In ENG 406, we trace the history of the English language from its prehistoric Indo-European roots, through sound changes of the Middle Ages, standardization in the era of print, and diversification as a global language in the modern world. Students learn the basics of linguistics; the pronunciation and basic grammar of Old English (spoken ca. 450–1150 CE) and Middle English (spoken ca. 1150–1500); how to fully utilize dictionaries and editions of English texts; and how dialects develop through isolation, imperialism, and human interactions. In addition to learning about the deep history and vast geographical range of English, students have the opportunity to create an entry in an ongoing online glossary project (which, if accepted, is a publication credit) and finish the semester analyzing contemporary language debates.

Last taught: Spring 2024

HON 303 Honors Sophomore Seminar

Topic - Tolkien, Then and Now (co-taught with Dr. Jameela Lares, English)

In this section of HON 303, we explore the creative and scholarly careers of J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973), who has been lauded as the “Author of the Twentieth Century.” Students in this course will evaluate that claim in terms of how Tolkien’s work reflects a deep understanding of past history, language, and culture and also in terms of the many ways in which his influence pervades global society into the current century. Students will explore, among other topics:

  1. Historical linguistics (including some exposure to Old English and other premodern languages in which Tolkien was an expert); 

  2. How a single scholar can revolutionize academic thinking (as with Tolkien’s treatment of Beowulf); 

  3. Issues of internationalism (such as Tolkien tourism in New Zealand and the counter-cultural political stances of self-proclaimed hobbits);

  4. Issues of taste, particularly Tolkien’s outsize role in popularizing fantasy books and games; and

  5. How medievalism and fantasy respond to such current issues as nuclear proliferation and ecological anxieties.

Last taught: Fall 2022

HUM 201 Colloquium on the Premodern World

Topic - Medieval Christendom and Medieval Islam (co-taught with Dr. Courtney Luckhardt, History, and Dr. Paula Smithka, Philosophy)

In this course, we examine two distinct global cultures of enduring significance from the perspective of history, literature, philosophy, and religion. The focus will be on the interplay between these different aspects of human experience: the reciprocal influence of history, literature, philosophy, and religion on each other. Since the material available to us is so vast, we will focus on themes in two distinct global (Western and non-Western) cultural contexts. The two cultures to be focused on this semester are medieval Europe and the medieval Middle East, ca. 400—1400 CE. The three themes are:

  1. politics and power structures

  2. science and technology

  3. ethics and beliefs

To focus on these themes, we will be reading primary sources—that is, texts produced in the Middle Ages. Students will read and interpret these primary sources, critically reflect on them, and compare and contrast these two societies and their norms with each other and with contemporary American culture.

Last taught: Fall 2022