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 I taught. 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 hard 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.
Favorite recent student feedback:
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 I taught. 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 hard 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.
Favorite recent student feedback:
- "I found your English class to be one of the best classes I have taken at MTSU. It left a major mark on my heart. I know I am a kinder and more understanding person because of it." (2023)
- "I want you to know that your class was truly enjoyable and that what you do matters. This class, your grace, your kindness… all of it has helped me this semester. I am coming out of this class a little bit of a better person because of you." (2021)
- "On a scale of Antman to Hulk, Dr. H is the Hulk of professor strengths." (2020)
- "You helped open my eyes to situations I was unaware of. You made me WOKE! Thank you." (2017)
In my office, sharing from a recently published book, 2016
AREAS OF TEACHING SPECIALIZATION:
RECENT/CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS:
ENGL 2020 Themes in Literature and Culture:
ENGL 3860 Film Genre
ENGL 3885 Topics in Gender and Film: Women Film Pioneers
ENGL 4780 War, Literature, and Culture: The Holocaust
ENGL 4860 Special Topics in Film: Film Noir
ENGL 6/7611 Holocaust Literature
MALA 6040 Holocaust Literature / Holocaust Cinema
- Gender and Race Representation
- Film and Media Culture
- Holocaust Studies
RECENT/CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS:
ENGL 2020 Themes in Literature and Culture:
- Holocaust Survivor Literature
- Women Immigrants and the American Dream
ENGL 3860 Film Genre
ENGL 3885 Topics in Gender and Film: Women Film Pioneers
ENGL 4780 War, Literature, and Culture: The Holocaust
ENGL 4860 Special Topics in Film: Film Noir
ENGL 6/7611 Holocaust Literature
MALA 6040 Holocaust Literature / Holocaust Cinema