Courses

I have taught eleven sections of this course as a full-time Lecturer in Applied Linguistics (Fall 2014 – Spring 2016)
ESL 15 introduces degree-seeking international students to the conventions of academic writing at US universities. Students learn how to organize their ideas, conduct basic library research, support their claims with appropriate forms of evidence, and prepare citations for material that is summarized, paraphrased, and/or quoted. Over four units, students produce five major written assignments and give two oral multimedia presentations: 1) Extended Definition Essay, 2) Compare and Contrast Essay, 3) Compare and Contrast Oral Presentation, 4) Topic Proposal for their final paper, 5) Annotated Bibliography, 6) Problem/Solution Argumentative Research Paper, and 7) Final Oral Presentation.

I taught two sections of this course as a part-time Lecturer in English (Spring 2014). I am teaching this course again in the summer of 2016.
In English 202c, juniors and seniors majoring in STEM fields investigate the discourse practices of their own disciplinary and institutional communities, and they apply those practices in 6 major assignments. Using the communication principles laid out in Markel’s Technical Communication, each student composes 1) a Basic Rhetorical Analysis, 2) and Internet Resource Guide, and 3) a Job Application Package. Next, each student creates 4) a Technical Definition/ Description, 5) an Instruction Set, and 6) a final online E-Portfolio. Through these assignments and feedback from peers, students thus become proficient in using to create rhetorically effective print and web-based texts for both technical and professional purposes.

I taught nine sections of this course as a Graduate Assistant and as a part-time Lecturer in English (2011-2013). I am teaching this course again in the summer of 2016.
English 15 introduces first year students at Penn State to basic writing and research skills from the perspective of rhetorical awareness, which means that students learn how to analyze their audiences, purposes for writing, and the available means/ resources in any given communicative situation. When I taught two summer sections that were paired with economics courses, I used the following major assignments: 1) Rhetorical Analysis Essay, 2) Financial Literacy Narrative, which is a reflection upon early experiences with money and economics, 3) Evaluation/ Critical Analysis paper, 4) Counter-Argument research paper, 5) Revision and Professionalization assignment, and 6) Proposal research paper.