TEACHING “THE STAGES OF LOVE” WRITING COURSE:

In my academic writing class on the anthropology, philosophy and psychology of romantic love, we attempted to answer the questions: What constitutes ideal romantic love? What are the stages of love before a couple reaches “prosaic love?” As Tolstoy illustrates in Anna Karenina, “prosaic love” is loving one for his or her integrity and constantly working on knowing oneself and the loved one as evolving people in order to cultivate romantic and family love. Contrary to this belief, do you side with Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s statement, “Love that is not madness is not love?” 

WRITING ABOUT LOVE:

Society’s common definition of love presents it as a consuming force that takes over someone. Lovers "fall," they are "head over heels,” “struck” and "crazy" for each other. With this theme as a backdrop for exploration, you will explore your version of love and what you need in a partner through journaling and writing projects.

You will also write essays on literature and poetry concerning love. You will learn to utilize as Trimble termed, a “General English” style (a compromise between formality and informality in scholarly essays)—an intermingling of objective and subjective—to rectify your individual voice rather than drown or dilute the self through an inauthentic authoritative literary manner.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

Adjunct Professor, Department of Literature

College Writing 100: Exploring Writer’s Voice and Identity and College Writing 101: The Stages of Love

• For College Writing 101, taught a writing class on the nature and chemistry of romantic love by focusing on nonfiction stories, scholarly readings, and popular sources. Students entered an ongoing conversation on the study of love through exploring ancient and modern philosophical love theories; psychological love theories such as attachment theory and the triangular theory of love; scientific facts that address the brain’s alterations while in love; cultural and anthropological definitions of ideal romantic love, obsession, infatuation and varying types of love; and advancements within the field of love neuroenhancements. 

• For fall College Writing 100 and spring College Writing 101, taught rhetoric and composition, self-designed curricula on specific subjects in literature, poetry and psychology, information literacy, and research skills.

• For College Writing 100 and 101, taught rhetorical reading strategies in a variety of different genres (the personal narrative, short essays, short responses, comparative research essay, and final research essay) that help students synthesize multiple points of view as they developed their own ambitious, arguable claims.

• Met with students individually twice a week during office hours and scheduled conferences.

•Taught College Writing 100 Online course via Blackboard during summer 2019 session and summer 2020 session.