Selected Course Descriptions

The Medieval Roots of Game of Thrones – Taught at MIT in Spring 2020, converted to online after spring break due to COVID-19. Students read George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones (1996) alongside a selection of medieval and early modern texts (romances of Marie de France and Heldris of Cornwall, a travelogue by Ibn Fadlan, Machiavelli’s Prince) as well as the graphic novel adaptation and the first season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. Original syllabus (Jan 2020). Updated syllabus (Mar 2020).

The Renaissance – Taught at Simmons College in Fall 2013 and Spring 2018. While under the aegis of the history department, this class was an interdisciplinary course that introduced students to the history, literature, art, and music of the European Renaissance. (Syllabus – The Renaissance)

Medieval & Early Modern Women’s Writing – Upper-level English elective taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, in Spring 2011 and Georgetown University in Spring 2012. This class introduced students to women’s writing from the medieval and early modern periods, primarily in Europe but also in East Asia. (Syllabus – Medieval & EM Women’s Writing)

Shakespeare’s Early Works – Upper-level English elective taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. Covered Henry VI Parts II and III, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, Romeo & Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet. (Syllabus – Early Shakespeare)

Women in Shakespeare – Upper-level English elective taught at Georgetown University in Fall 2010 and Fall 2011. Explored a series of Shakespeare’s plays with special emphasis on female characters and feminist criticism. Covered Titus Andronicus, Richard III, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Othello, and Antony & Cleopatra. (Syllabus – Women in Shakespeare)

Malory’s King Arthur – Medieval Studies seminar taught at Georgetown University in Fall 2011. Sustained study of Sir Thomas Malory’s Middle English epic Le Morte Darthur with accompanying source material (Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chrétien de Troyes, Geoffrey Chaucer, etc) and secondary criticism. (Syllabus – Malory’s King Arthur)

Medieval & Renaissance British Literature – English survey taught at University of Maryland, College Park, in Fall 2010. This class took a thematic approach focusing on explorations of the female voice across medieval and early modern literature. (Syllabus – Med-Ren Survey)

Sophomore Writing Seminar: Gender & Media – Advanced composition taught at Southern New Hampshire University in Spring 2014 and Spring 2015 on a theme of “gender in the media.” Students used topics related to gender representation, sexism, and popular culture to produce research papers and presentations.

***

Full List of Courses Taught

(2008-Present)

 

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

2020     European & Latin American Fiction: Dangerous Women in Novel and Film

Literature Survey; 9 students enrolled

2020     Science Fiction & Fantasy: The Medieval Roots of Game of Thrones

Literature Elective; 6 students enrolled

2019     Shakespeare

Literature Elective; 4 students enrolled

 

SIMMONS COLLEGE

 2019     Medieval & Early Modern Culture Through Game of Thrones

Graduate History Seminar; 10 students enrolled

2018     The Renaissance

History Survey; 7 students enrolled

2014     Women in Literature/Introduction to Women’s Studies

English Survey; 21 students enrolled

2013     The Renaissance

History Survey; 20 students enrolled

 

SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY

 2015     Introduction to Literature

General Education; 33 students in 2 sections

2015     British Literature II

Survey 1800-Modernism; 19 students enrolled

2015     Sophomore Writing Seminar

Composition; 15 students enrolled

2014     World Literature: Foundations of Culture

Pre-1800 Survey; 19 students enrolled

2014     British Literature I

Pre-1800 Survey; 17 students enrolled

2014     College Composition I

Composition; 31 students in 2 sections

2014     Sophomore Writing Seminar

Composition; 12 students enrolled

2013     Fundamentals of Writing

Composition; 32 students in 2 sections

 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

2012     Women in Arthurian Legend

Upper-level Medieval Studies seminar; 4 students enrolled

2012     Medieval and Early Modern Women’s Writing

Upper-level English elective; 23 students enrolled

2011     Malory’s King Arthur

Upper-level Medieval Studies seminar; 9 students enrolled

2011     Women in Shakespeare

Upper-level English elective; 35 students enrolled

2011     Shakespearean Tragedy

Upper-level English elective; 30 students enrolled

2010     Women in Shakespeare

Upper-level English elective; 13 students enrolled

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

2012     Shakespeare’s Early Works

Upper-level English elective; 30 students enrolled

2012     Shakespeare & Contemporaries

English Survey; 35 students enrolled

2011     Shakespeare’s Early Works

Upper-level English elective; 30 students enrolled

2011     Auctoritas in Medieval and Early Modern Women’s Writing

Upper-level English elective; 21 students enrolled

2010     Medieval and Renaissance British Literature

English Survey; 30 students enrolled

 

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY 

2010     Medieval Literature

Upper-level English elective; 11 students enrolled

 

OXFORD PROGRAMME FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES 

2008     Women in Shakespeare

Tutorial; one student

2008     Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Tutorial; one student