English Faculty

Laura Bartlett

I love reading, watching, and thinking about a broad range of texts. In the same day, I might teach the cultural significance of GI Joe and Barbie, the representation of college students in Animal House, and the rhetorical tropes in James Joyce’s Ulysses. There’s a quotation, “The World is a Text,” that helps explain the diversity of my interests. And in my view, composing—whether writing, recording, or mixing—is the best way to engage, enjoy, and understand the world of texts around us. Visit Laura's website.

Lynda Behan

I'm curious about how stuff works and fits together and why it is the way it is. Naturally since I teach English, I'm curious about language--its melodies and rhythms, its mysteries and rules. OSU-Marion's students, who are full of diverse interests and engaging language, help me to learn. Visit Lynda's website.

Catherine C. Braun

In the musical Mame, the title character sings a song that goes, "Open a new window. Open a new door...Before you find you're a dull fellow, punching the same clock. Walking the same tightrope as everyone on the block." This is becoming my motto in life, as well as in teaching. I want my students to open new doors and windows (pardon the pun), try new ways of composing, and experiment as much as possible. Visit Katie's website.

Sara Crosby

One of the things that I love about being a professor of American literature is that I get to spend my life investigating mysteries. For example: Why, in Toni Morrison's Sula, does the title character senselessly murder a little boy? Or, where does American character come from—from the Puritan John Winthrop, the swashbuckler John Smith, or the cowboy John Wayne? In my teaching, I introduce students to these kinds of questions and ask them to uncover and solve their own mysteries using creative role-playing and analysis of textual "clues."

Marcia Dickson

George Bernard Shaw once said "I try not to let my schooling interfere with my education." In my teaching, I try to remember that students want to learn more than facts about literature and formulas for writing. The goal of teaching should be helping students learn about the past and present in a meaningful and (Dare I say it?) practical manner. Visit Marcia's website.

Peter Dully

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Stuart Lishan

The classroom should be a field of play in which creative and intellectual work can thrive --together. When that happens long-lasting learning occurs. I teach classes in creative writing (poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction), poetry (including song lyrics), the literature of the fantastic, and critical writing. I invite you to take any one of them, and to come to class suited up and ready to play. Visit Stuart's website.

Mike Lohre

Teaching for me is an opportunity to interact with my fellow human beings and create a positive learning envirnment by being a good facilitator in my work. I strive each quarter to share my love of language, art and ideas--but a goal that is even more important to me is that students find and share the best of themselves. Visit Mike's website.

Ben McCorkle

In spite of the time I spend preparing for class each time I teach, I think the best kind of learning is the kind that happens by accident. Call it serendipity, chance, the random intersection of lines of thought on an intellectual plane...I really only create the occasion and structure to bring these elements together. It's the students who add that ineffable spark of life so indispensible to the classroom experience, and a lot of teachers I know would agree with me. Visit Ben's website.

Sue Oakes

Ellen Seusy

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Nathan Wallace