Teaching
College Level Writing
I have over five years of experience teaching college level writing. At Temple University, I worked in the First Year Writing Program, teaching a course called Analytical Reading and Writing. Currently, I teach at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where I teach primarily in the Foundational Writing Program. Over the years I have become passionate about helping students write argumentative essays that are organized, focused, and follow the structure of an academic essay.
Shakespeare
However, one of my favorite subjects to teach is Shakespeare. In 2021, when I was a graduate student, I was asked to teach an Advanced Shakespeare course, even though my own research involves neither the playwright nor the Early Modern period. Since then, my students and I have been having a blast working with the bard from many different perspectives, from the queer to the monstrous to the role that spoken language plays in advancing Shakespeare’s plots.
Course Descriptions
When I teach Shakespeare, I like to foreground his revolutionary aspects. During the Renaissance, theatre gets its first real revival since ancient Greece and Shakespeare shapes it into a place for social norms to be examined and mocked. Shakespeare was a master at depicting (perhaps, provoking) scandals in his plays and then remedying the situation in ways that feel like a wink and a nudge at audience members. Shakespeare was an innovator and he broke all kinds of rules—and got away with it.
Many of my students remain in touch for years, some revising and publishing essays from our course. (Click here to see student feedback.) Below are two sample course descriptions.
Eng. 922
Honors Shakespeare in the Movies
In this course we will investigate how Shakespeare’s deviant characters are depicted in film. From the queer to the monstrous, what cinematographic techniques are associated with the portrayal of characters who refuse to comply with social prescriptions (ie normativity)? In what ways do cinematographic techniques condition the audience’s expectations and judgements?
- How does film seduce the audience to identify with deviant characters? In some cases we will read the original Shakespearean text in addition to viewing depictions on the screen. Every effort will be made to supply reading and viewing materials at low cost or no cost to students; however, students should be prepared to purchase some materials and to view films on devices at home.
Eng. 3221
Advanced Shakespeare
This course will examine the role of language in the plots of Shakespeare’s plays. We will investigate how Shakespeare’s characters use spoken language—in the form of magical spells, prophecies, and curses—to advance their own agendas. We may consider letters, messages, and language lessons. We will also look at double-entendres, puns, and jokes involving wordplay. What kind of interpersonal power do these forms of language possess? Is language itself a vehicle of agency? How is language put to descriptive, prescriptive, and manipulative purposes—and to what effect?
Student Feedback
Vanessa stepped up to the plate when circumstances left our class without a professor. This was a Shakespeare class—vital to our coursework as undergraduate students of literature. Instantly adapting to the situation, Vanessa proceeded to lead us through what proved to be one of the most pivotal courses of my entire education. The investigations were thorough; the discussions were lively; and above all, Professor Vanessa made a signal effort to keep our meetings welcoming, open, and supported. Her approach instills an appreciation of how knowledge can be applied within the world—that education will always be the most powerful tool for the betterment of ourselves, and that it can be accessible to anyone. I can’t find the words to recommend Vanessa highly enough, as I believe she is committed to always striving for the best in academic excellence. It has been my pleasure to be her student, and I am honored to be able to pass this recommendation along to anyone fortunate enough to be able to work alongside this highly capable and caring professional.