I TEACH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSES IN
CULTURAL STUDIES &
RACE, FEMINIST, POSTCOLONIAL, AND CRITICAL THEORIES
Recent courses
ENGL 4399: VOICING RESISTANCE: AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY, CULTURE, POLITICS, AND ART IN ‘POST-RACIAL’ AMERICA
In this course, we will read a variety of contemporary voices on the subject of race in America. These critics consider ways to define, theorize, and live a black life in an America increasingly hostile to black bodies. We will begin by exploring the ‘question of blackness’ today from political, sociological, philosophical, and activist perspectives. We then turn to pop culture texts by contemporary filmmakers (Jordan Peele, Ryan Coogler, and Spike Lee) and by musicians (Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar), who are examining similar questions in their own mediums.
ENGL 6360: TOPICS IN FEMINIST THEORY
“LIVING A FEMINIST LIFE”
This course will introduce students to foundational and new concepts in Feminist Theory. A guiding concern will be the question of what it means to live a “Feminist Life” in theory, in practice, and in politics. We will begin with an overview of various feminist methodologies, engaging with some early feminist work, and then undertake a more in-depth examination of many of the influential texts of the field, including those by Judith Butler, Luce Irigaray, Donna Haraway, Gayle Rubin, Susan Bordo, and others. We will then turn to contemporary feminist engagement in social justice movements and politics, including LGBTQ activism, #BLM, #SayHerName, the 2017 Women’s March, #Me Too, and examine the impact on culture of public feminist activism.
Race, Gender, Media, Politics