teaching
serving as Siegel Middle History Day advisor in 2012
WHY I TEACH
I became a professor because we can all do better to understand, care for, respect, and communicate with one another. Developing effective critical thinking skills as adults is central to this pursuit. Learning can make us better friends, loved ones, coworkers, citizens, and human beings.
This would be my perspective regardless of the discipline(s) and subjects in which I teach. I just so happen to love the way literature and film tell us about ourselves in their style, content, form, and production. Creative texts hit you in the head and the heart, at best encouraging compassionate growth and inspiring positive change to make the world a better place for each and all of us. I also love the study of history and culture, equally a part of literature and film. And I study and teach popular culture because understanding how the media shapes our world and worldview is vital to challenging negative impact and enhancing resistance, again to help us create positive change in the world.
Education is a slow process involving interaction with individuals at various stages of growth and self-awareness. I value my own ongoing education, which I strive to attain in various "classrooms" in my life, both formal and informal. Education is an adventure, a journey, and important work -- for all of us. Learning nourishes and frustrates, builds and tears down. I value the journey my students take with me and do all I can to help them value the the experience.
My favorite feedback from a student (in 2017): "You helped open my eyes to situations I was unaware of. You made me WOKE! Thank you."
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
COURSES I TEACH:
ENGL 2020 Themes in Literature and Culture:
ENGL 3885 Topics in Gender and Film:
ENGL 4860 Special Topics in Film: Film Noir
ENGL 6/7310 Popular Culture Studies
ENGL 6/7760 Special Topics in Film: Women and Film
JHS 3020 The Holocaust
WGST 2100 Introduction to Women's Studies (online)
WGST 3500 Women in the Media
- Gender, Feminist, and Queer Studies
- Film and Popular Culture
- Jewish American and Holocaust Studies
COURSES I TEACH:
ENGL 2020 Themes in Literature and Culture:
- Holocaust Survivor Literature (online mostly)
- Jewish American Identity in Literature and Culture
- Women and the Immigrant Experience (forthcoming)
ENGL 3885 Topics in Gender and Film:
- Gender, Race, & Sexuality in Hollywood Film
- Women and Film (Feminist Film Studies)
- Women Film Pioneers
ENGL 4860 Special Topics in Film: Film Noir
ENGL 6/7310 Popular Culture Studies
ENGL 6/7760 Special Topics in Film: Women and Film
JHS 3020 The Holocaust
WGST 2100 Introduction to Women's Studies (online)
WGST 3500 Women in the Media
