Introductions

Wed, 08/20/2008 - 06:48 — David Blakesley

Welcome to English 505!

So that we can get to know each other a little better, please post a reply to this message in which you

  • describe where you are from
  • give your course of study and year in the graduate program
  • talk about your areas of specialization and career goals
  • tell what you would like to get out of this course
  • share at least one thing personal about yourself (a hobby, your favorite sport, a favorite activity, etc.)

I'll start. I've lived in West Lafayette since 2000, when I first came to Purdue. I was promoted to full professor in 2006. My areas of specialization include professional writing, rhetorical theory, digital media, print publishing, and film. In 2002 I founded Parlor Press, an independent scholarly publisher. I'm also involved with Purdue's Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy, a program of the Burton Morgan Center in Discovery Park.

My favorite sports are golf and baseball, but I spend most of my free time playing with new gadgets, including my twins.

Comments

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 12:21 — Tony Cimasko

Introduction

I'm originally from New Jersey, with ties to Western Massachusetts and South Korea. I'm currently in my 5th year of doctoral work in ESL, focusing on L2 genre writing. Specifically, I am studying genre hybridity. At the moment, I am focusing aggressively on defending in April of next year, although I am aware that it might have to wait until the summer of '09. In this course, I'm primarily interested in expanding my pedagogical repertoire. A personal detail . . . When it's on, I don't miss a single episode of Battlestar Galactica--and January 2009 is far too long a wait!

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 12:22 — ehermans

Hi

I'm originally from Green Bay, and this is my 4th year at Purdue. My areas of specialization are late 19th to early 20th century American literature, women's studies, and iconography. My personal goal for this course is to learn how to be a phenomenal 420 instructor. I enjoy traveling, music, cooking and, sadly, celebrity blogs.

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 12:38 — Karen

Hi, Karen here.

I'm from Ohio and Florida. I'm in the third year of my rhetoric and composition PhD. I'm working on specializations in rhetoric, technology & digital writing and professional writing. I have a lot of interests - Renaissance instruction manuals, sewing patterns and technology, visual rhetoric, and how non-academics conduct and publish research. This semester I hope to narrow that down to a dissertation topic! This semester I'd like to increase my Drupal skills and get comfortable with teaching PW. I enjoy doing artsy-craftsy things like sewing, painting, photography, jewelry-making, and quilting.

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 12:39 — F. Tobienne Jr

Greetings

I was born and raised on the island of St. Croix, one of the three islands which comprise the (U.S.) Virgin Islands in the West Indies. The other two islands are, respectively: St. Thomas and St. John. I am currently a second year doctoral student in English: Medieval Studies Literature at Purdue University. My specialty is Middle English Language and Literature and my interests include: Studies in Magic, Critical Race Theory and Medical Ethics. I hope to become a professor at some point and continue my education and teaching overseas; specifically, between Spain and France. I hope to remain relevant, and believe this course will aid me in that endeavor. As regards to something personal about myself--my native language is Spanish, I speak Cruzan and I did not know English until the second grade. I also enjoy wine--a lot! If I may, I would recommend a nice, deep red; say, a Chianti (Ruffino to start).
-- FT

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 12:58 — Chalet Seidel

Introduction

Hi. I'm a Ph.D. candidate in English at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I grew up outside of Youngstown, Ohio--the buckle of the rustbelt. I'm writing a dissertation on the professionalization of American journalists in the 19th century. My academic interests are 19th century American literature, authorship studies, and studies in the history of the book. It's been a long time since I've taught professional writing, so I hope this class will bring me up to speed. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, running, yoga, and recently, water aerobics (move over Ethel--it's not just for senior citizens anymore).

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 19:55 — Rita Rud

Introduction

Greetings fellow 505's, Originally from the UK, I have lived in NH, NC, and IN since coming to the US in 1983. I graduated from Purdue in 2005 with an MFA in CW. I am currently at work on a novel, set in the Berkshires of MA, and a book of short stories set on the Isle of Wight, my hometown (or island). I have published poetry, short stories and non-fiction, and hope to eventually publish a book. I'm also interested in film. Other professional interests include teaching pedagogy and online and digital publishing. In this course I want to learn how to use Drupal. I enjoy teaching writing in a computer lab, and hope to improve both my teaching and technology skills. Apart from writing, I like to grow things, particularly herbs and vegetables, and like to spend time with animals, and in nature.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 12:13 — jprenosi

Introduction

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... Born in Omaha, NE, my earliest goals in life were to walk and write a book. I achieved the former through severe trial and error. I broke both my legs before I was three and was labeled “accident prone” by doctors who worried about the delirious little fellow in a cast up to his hip. At Purdue, I hope to accomplish my second goal by writing a doctoral dissertation on the rhetoric of nonviolent resistance, which I believe I can do at a lesser cost to my personal health. Before alighting on Purdue campus last fall, I was an 8th grade writing teacher, a 6-8th grade theology and literature teacher, and a sophomore English and Spanish teacher. I earned my M.Ed. from Notre Dame in 2006, and my B.A. from Saint Louis University in 2004. Prior to my life in higher education, I was a mostly lazy, incorrigible youth with a glimmer of potential and a penchant for goofing off. I was not a good student in high school, which means I understand 'under-engagement' and 'underperformance' pretty well. This also means that I am pretty good at differentiating a genuinely hard worker who is struggling despite their best efforts and someone who needs to reshape their involvement with the world around them. My hobbies include carpentry, gardening, and home brewing. Rarely do I miss an opportunity to travel cheaply.