Department of English & Comparative Literature
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
SDSU Mail Code MC 6020
Arts and Letters 226
San Diego, CA 92182-6020
jtthomas@mail.sdsu.edu
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Professional Publications
BOOKS
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Poetry's Playground: The Culture of Contemporary American Children's Poetry. (Wayne State University Press: Landscapes of Childhood Series, 2007)
Awards/Nominations:
1. Nominated for the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association’s 2007 John G. Cawelti Award in Popular and American Culture
2. Nominated for the History of Education Society’s 2008 Outstanding Book AwardReviews of Poetry's Playground:
Susan Kreller. Rev. of Poetry's Playground, by Joseph T. Thomas, Jr. International Research in Children's Literature. [forthcoming: 2008]
Sorby, Angela. "Poetry Is Poetry Is Poetry." Rev. of Poetry's Playground, by Joseph T. Thomas, Jr. Children's Literature 36 (2008): 235-37.
Sloan, Glenna. Rev. of Poetry's Playground, by Joseph T. Thomas, Jr. Children's Literature Association Quarterly 32.4 (2007): 392-94.
Strong Measures. (Make Now Press, Los Angeles, CA. 2007)
ESSAYS
“Messages in a Bottle: The 2007 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry” (co-authored with Richard Flynn & Angela Sorby). The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children's Literature 31 (2007): 264-81.
"'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)': The 2006 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry" (co-authored with Richard Flynn & JonArno Lawson). The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children's Literature 30 (2006): 383-97.
"'a joint rolled in toilet paper': Funkadelic's Funky Soul." Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture 6.2 (Spring 2006).
"It Could Be Verse: The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry" (co-authored with Richard Flynn & Kelly Hager). The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children's Literature 29 (2005): 427-441.
"The Books that Print Bred: The Materiality of Picture Books" Children's Literature Association Quarterly 30.1 (2005): 72-3.
"Letters to Children." Children's Literature Association Quarterly 30.1 (2005): 74-87.
"Reappraising Uncle Shelby." The Horn Book Magazine. May/June 2005: 283-93.
"Child Poets and the Poetry of the Playground." Children's Literature Spring 32 (2004): 152-77.
"'Levels and Opposites' in Randall Jarrell's The Bat-Poet." Children's Literature Association Quarterly 27.1 (2002): 16-26.
"Mel Glenn and Arnold Adoff: The Poetics of Power in the Adolescent Voice-lyric." Style 35.3 (2001): 486-97.
OTHER (NON-SCHOLARLY) CRITICAL ESSAYS
“In the Spotlight: Myra Cohn Livingston.” Children’s Literature Circle 15 (2008): 4.
"The Wonderland of Children's Poetry." Parents' Choice. www.parents-choice.org (2008) .
REVIEWS
Rev. of Adventures into Otherness: Child Metamorphs in Late Twentieth-Century Literature, by Maria Lassén-Seger. International Research in Children’s Literature (2008).
Rev. of Aesthetic Approaches to Children's Literature: An Introduction, by Maria Nikolajeva. ImageTexT (2007).
Rev. of Schoolroom Poets: Childhood, Performance, and the Place of American Poetry, 1865-1917, by Angela Sorby. Children's Literature Association Quarterly 30.4 (2005): 443-47.
"The New Workhorse of Children's Literature: An insider's view of The Norton Anthology of Children's Literature." Rev. of Norton Anthology of Children's Poetry, ed. Jack Zipes, Lissa Paul et. al. The Poetry Foundation (2006).
Rev. of The Avant-Garde and American Postmodernity: Small Incisive Shocks, by Philip Nel. Studies in the Novel 36.4 (2004): 587-89.
Rev. of Dr. Seuss: American Icon, by Philip Nel. HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research. (2004): 437-41.
BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL ESSAYS
"Children's Poetry." Encyclopedia of American Poetry [Five Volumes]. Ed. Jeff Gray. Westport, CT: Greenwood P, 2005. (3766 words)
"John Ciardi." Encyclopedia of American Poetry [Five Volumes]. Ed. Jeff Gray. Westport, CT: Greenwood P, 2005. (1124 words)
"Randall Jarrell." Encyclopedia of American Poetry [Five Volumes]. Ed. Jeff Gray. Westport, CT: Greenwood P, 2005. (3,350 words)
"Playground Rhymes." The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature [Three Volumes]. Ed. Jack Zipes. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. (1,095 words)
"Mark Twain." Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society. Eds. Paula S. Fass et. al. New York: Macmillan, 2003. 845. (508 words)
FORTHCOMING: ESSAYS AND REVIEWS
“‘from brain all the way to heart’: The 2008 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry” (co-authored with Richard Flynn & Angela Sorby). The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children's Literature [forthcoming]
Rev. of Tenth Rasa: An Anthology of Indian Nonsense, by Michael Heyman. International Research in Children’s Literature.
Rev. of The Forms of Youth: Twentieth-Century Poetry and Adolescence, by Stephen Burt. Children’s Literature Association Quarterly.
UNDER CONSIDERATION
“The Present of Poetry.” Rev. of We Were Werewolves, by Doug Nufer.
BOOKS IN PROGRESS
"The Devil's favorite pet": Shel Silverstein, an American Iconoclast. [Working title. An extended study of Silverstein's life, poetry (children's and adult), script work, cartoons, prose fiction, and music from a cultural studies prospective]
Curious Boys: The Construction of Childhood in the Novels of William S. Burroughs [Working Title]
"They may not mean to but they do": An Anthology of Poetry for Adolescents. Co-edited with Harry Deutsch.
FORTHCOMING: BOOK CHAPTER
“Aesthetics.” Keywords in Children’s Literature & Culture. Eds. Lissa Paul and Philip Nel.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
"Strong Measures: Six Exercises for My Father." Swami (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 8 (2004): 6-9.
"catch twenty-two." Preludes to Softcore Porn (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 7 (2003): N.p.
"4th of July Poem." dogs as filler (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 6 (2002): 21.
"Whatever You Think's Best" (with Carmen M. Ganser) La Petite Bourgeoisie (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 5 (2002). Compact Disc.
"Strong Measures." La Petite Bourgeoisie (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 5 (2002). Compact Disc.
"Seven Sentences." "What we have loved, others will love (and we will teach them how)"(formerly known as L'bourgeoizine)4 (2002): 24.
"Two Translations of Ferdinand Hardekopt's Splendeurs et misPres des débrouillards." "I can only remember mayo and the year of the French Revolution" (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine)3 (2001): 4.
"Daughters of Lycomedes." Formerly Known as L'bourgeoizine 2 (2001). Compact Disc.
Diabolus in Musica for String Quartet. Formerly Known as L'bourgeoizine 2 (2001). Compact Disc.
"after dinner with x." The Infinitely Expanding Bourgeoisity (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine)1 (2001): 10.
"Articulation" (with A.D. Jameson). The Infinitely Expanding Bourgeoisity (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 1 (2001): 21.
"wanna white hamster cage." The Infinitely Expanding Bourgeoisity (formerly known as L'bourgeoizine) 1 (2001): 12-13.
"Sonnet" Moria 3.1 (2000). 7 June 2003.
"Arcadia" River King Poetry Press. 5.2 (1999): 2.
"Cleaving" River King Poetry Press. 5.2 (1999): 5.
"March 20" Piedmont Literary Review. 22.3 (1999): 29.
"Leftovers" Piedmont Literary Review. 22.2 (1999): 25.
EDITORSHIP
Co-founder, co-editor. formerly known as L'bourgeoizine. Issues 1-8+. Spring 2001-.
A small, independent publication in multiple formats, formerly known as […] is a free, non-profit literary arts zine, founded in early 2001 by a group of Illinois State University students. It has since grown into an international community of some 300 people. The primary philosophies underlying the zine include the beliefs that all literatures are rooted in particular places and times, that artists and readers work together to produce meaningful artworks, that people should create their own art, and that communities should work to minimize the costs involved in both the production of art and the making of that art available to those who want it. The zine has from the start supported copylefting, and every issue may be freely reproduced and distributed. Each print issue since #3 has had at least one suggested theme, but we encourage all submissions, regardless of whether they explicitly fit the current issue's theme(s). [Taken from our web-site: formerly known as L'bourgeoizine]
Issues have included the work of (among others) Arnold Adoff, Ricardo Cortez Cruz, Tim Feeney, John Firefly, Richard Flynn, Carmen Ganser, Gabe Gudding, Gray Jacobik, Adam Jones, D.D. Marquette, Chris McGee, Philip Nel, A.L. Nielsen, Brooke Nelson, Eric Nelson, Lissa Paul, Nick Piombino, Astria Suparak, Ron Weber, Curt White, and David Zimmerman.
Conference Presentations & Talks
INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL CONFERENCE PAPERS
“Fucking Innocence.” (with Katie E. Strode). Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Chicago, IL. Dec. 27-30, 2007.
“Vanilla Verse (for Kids).” Seventeenth Annual Conference of the American Literature Association. Boston, MA. May 24-27, 2007.
“Shel Silverstein, Playboy’s Playboy: 1950-1965.” Seventeenth Annual Conference of the American Literature Association. Boston, MA. May 24-27, 2007.
“Curious Boys, or How William S. Burroughs Murdered Children’s Literature.” Seventh Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature. Nashville, TN. 2007.
"Contemporary American Children's Poetry and the 'School of Quietude.'" 2005 Modern Language Association Annual Convention. Washington D.C. December 27-30, 2005.
"I'm So Good I that Don't Have to Brag: The Conceptual Continuity of Shel Silverstein's Life and Work." Sixteenth Annual Conference of the American Literature Association. Boston, MA. May 26-29, 2005.
"Will the Real Whiskered Wit Please Stand Up? Playboy, Shel Silverstein, and Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back." Sixth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. March 31 to April 2, 2005.
"Multiple Poetries." The National Council of Teachers of English, 2004. Double Panel ("Signifying Change: Educating Readers about Writing and Teaching Poetry.") with Dan Hade (Associate Professor, Faculty of Education Pennsylvania State University); Richard Flynn (poet, editor of Children's Literature Association Quarterly, and Professor, Department of English, Georgia Southern University); Helen Frost (poet); Amy McClure (Rodefer Professor of Education, Ohio Wesleyan University); Stephen Roxburgh (publisher and critic); Deborah Stevenson (critic and editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books); Roger Sutton (Editor, The Horn Book); and Joseph Thomas (poet, Assistant Professor, Department of English, California State University, Northridge). Organized by Lissa Paul. Indianapolis, IN. November 18 to 21, 2004.
"Letters to Children: Rereading Children's Alphabet Books." 31st Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Fresno, CA. June 10-12, 2004.
"Robert Frost's Cold War Emergence As The New 'Official School Poet.'" (Cold War Frost Panel: Sponsored by the Robert Frost Society). American Literature Association 2004 Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA. May 27-30, 2004.
"Recuperating the Oral: A Poetics of Childhood Folk Rhymes " (Youth Culture Panel) California Folklore Society Annual Meeting. Northridge, CA. April 2-4, 2004.
"'Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Burning of the School': Child Poets and the Poetry of the Playground." Fifth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. April 10-12, 2003.
"Concrete Poems and the Allure of the Visual." Education in Children's Literature, or School: 29th Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Wilkes-Barre, PA. June 13-16, 2002.
"The Revolutionary Poetics of Arnold Adoff's Slow Dance Heart Break Blues." Fourth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. April 5-7, 2001.
"'the little funny book for children': Theodore Roethke's I am! Says the Lamb." Children's Literature--Landmarks, Boundaries, and Watersheds: 27th Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Roanoke, VA. June 23, 2000.
"A Rare Bat: A Structuralist Reading of Randall Jarrell's The Bat Poet." Third Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. March 25-27, 1999.
"J.R.R. Tolkien and the Commodification of Middle-Earth." "Children's Literature Discussion Circle: 'The Child as Consumer.'" South Atlantic Modern Language Association Convention, Savannah, GA. November 9, 1996.
FORTHCOMING INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL CONFERENCE PAPERS
“‘A fantasy of chastity,’ or, Have You Seen Shel Silverstein’s Adult Plays?” Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association. Pomona College, Claremont, CA. November 8, 2008.
CONFERENCE PANELS CHAIRED AND ORGANIZED
“Children’s Poetry in the Schools.” (Organizer). Seventeenth Annual Conference of the American Literature Association. Boston, MA. 2007.
“The End of Children’s Literature” (Chair). Seventh Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature. Nashville, TN. 2007.
“Boston and Children's Literature” (Panel Chair and Moderator). (Sponsored by the Children's Literature Society). Sixteenth Annual Conference of the American Literature Association. Boston, MA. May 26-29, 2005.
"The Real and the Phony." (Panel Chair, Organizer, and Respondent) Double Panel: with June Cummins, Richard Flynn, Michael Joseph, Kenneth Kidd, Lissa Paul, Joseph T. Thomas, Jr. Sixth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. March to April 2, 2005.
"The Books that Print Bred: The Materiality of Picture Books." (Panel Chair and Organizer). 31st Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Fresno, CA. June 10-12, 2004.
"Tolkien and the 21st Century" (Panel Chair and Organizer). (Sponsored by the Children's Literature Division of the Modern Language Association). 2003 Modern Language Association Annual Convention. San Diego, CA. December 27-30, 2003.
"'Inappropriate' Children's Literature: Sex, Violence, and Children's Subjectivity" (Panel Co-chair and Organizer, with Richard Flynn). Fifth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. April 10-12, 2003.
"Pictures, Pedagogy and the Promise of Children's Poetry" (Panel Chair and Organizer). Education in Children's Literature, or School: 29th Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Wilkes-Barre, PA. June 13-16, 2002.
"State[s] of the Art: Re-visioning Poetry for Youths" (Panel Chair and Organizer). Fourth Biennial Conference on Modern Critical Approaches to Children's Literature. Nashville, TN. April 5-7, 2001.
"Foundations of Children's Literature: Theory and Praxis" (Panel Chair and Organizer). Illinois State University, Ewing Manor English Studies Symposium. Normal, IL. March 2, 2001.
"Blurred Boundaries: Constructions of a Childhood Poetic" (Panel Chair and Organizer). Children's Literature--Landmarks, Boundaries, and Watersheds: 27th Annual International Children's Literature Association Conference. Roanoke, VA. June 23, 2000.
POETRY READINGS
With Ara Shirinyan, Stan Apps, & Dan Machlin. Beyond Baroque. 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, Calinfornia. April 12, 2008.
Tango & Literature Ball: Faculty Reading. Hosted by the MFA class of 2007. With Sandra Alcosser, Edith Frampton, Ilya Kaminsky, Pam Fox Kuhlken, & Bill Nericcio. Pattie Wells’ Dancetime Center, San Diego. Nov. 10, 2007.
Last Sunday Reading Series, at the Smell. With Diane Ward. Los Angeles. Sept. 30, 2007.
First Monday at the Coffee Perk: San Fernando Valley. Oct. 23, 2006.With Janet Sarbanes, Rick Snyder, and Matias Viegener. The Smell: Last Sunday Reading Series. Los Angeles. May 21, 2006.
With Ara Shirinyan. ArtistSalonRAW. 13925 Leadwell Street, Los Angeles. Dec. 4, 2005.
With Ian Monk (Oulipan poet), Kenneth Goldsmith (poet and editor of ubu.com). Dawson's Books, Los Angeles. June 17, 2004.
Writers & Teachers Series, with Hazel D. Sonanes, Karina Souto, & Brad Torti. Co-curated by Catherine Daly and Margaret Wang. Barnes & Noble Glendale. May 25, 2004.
With Elizabeth Hatmaker. Sponsored by Kristin Dykstra, Illinois State University. June 20, 2003.
LOCAL & UNIVERSITY-WIDE LECTURES,
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND WORKSHOPS
“Well I’ll Be Banned: A Reading of Banned & Challenged Children’s Books.” With Kent Baxter (CSUN), Dorothy Clark (CSUN), Charles Hatfield (CSUN), Jackie Stallcup (CSUN), Katie Strode (SDSU). California State University, Northridge. Oct. 4, 2007.
"Children's Literature = Banned!: Ideology and the Assault on the First Amendment." With Christina Saidy (CSUN), and Katie E. Strode (East Los Angeles Community College). Northridge Academy High School, Northridge. Sept. 30, 2005.
"'It Could Be Verse': Presentation of the Lion and Unicorn Poetry Award to Marilyn Nelson." With Richard Flynn and Kelly Hager. Let's Dance: Biennial Summer Institute at Simmons College, Boston. July 30, 2005.
"Dancing with Different Partners: Exploring Multiple Poetries." Guest Facilitator (visiting scholar in children's poetry) for the Let's Dance: Biennial Summer Institute at Simmons College, Professional Connections Sessions. Boston. July 29 & 30, 2005.
"'Two, four, six, eight, we ain't gonna integrate': Poetry, Politics, and the Playground" (one hour lecture). San Diego State University, National Center for the Study of Children's Literature. Feb. 24, 2004.
A Panel on Independent Publishing (Panelist: discussed the publication of the independent Formerly Known as L'Bourgeoizine). Arts and Activism Workshop. Normal, IL April 26, 2003.
Reflections on the Job Market (Panelist). Illinois State University Graduate Forum. Illinois State University. Normal, IL. April 18, 2003.
"Resisting the Sublime: Poetry of the Playground and the Custodians of Taste" (one hour lecture). Children's Literature Graduate Student Colloquium. Illinois State University. Normal, IL. November 21, 2002.
"Constructing Foundations: A Theorized Model of Foundations of Children's Literature." Illinois State University, Ewing Manor English Studies Symposium. Normal, IL. March 2, 2001.
Teaching Portfolio Workshop (co-presenter): Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Illinois State University. Normal, IL. May 16, 2001.
Creative-Writing Round Table Discussion (Discussion Leader): Third Annual English Studies Undergraduate Symposium.Illinois State University. Normal, IL. September 10, 1999.
"Writing Papers without Paper: Pedagogical Strategies for the Paperless Classroom." Writing Program Colloquium. Illinois State University. Normal, IL. November 3, 1998.
Education
| Ph.D. May 2003. English Studies, Children's Literature Concentration. Illinois State University |
| Dissertation: "Refiguring the Culture(s) of Contemporary American
Children's Poetry" [winner of the Clarence W. Sorensen Distinguished
Dissertation Award] Director: Jan Susina Readers: Victoria Harris, Anita Tarr |
| Qualifying Examination Areas: |
| English Studies | Pass |
| Pedagogy | Pass |
| Children's Literature | Pass with Distinction |
| M.A. Spring 1997. English Literature, Georgia Southern University |
| Thesis: "Tolkien's Audiences and the Rhetoric of Childhood" Director: Richard Flynn |
| B.A. Spring 1995. English Literature, Georgia Southern University |
| Minors: Philosophy and Music |
Teaching Experience
Fall 2007-
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Fall 2003 - Spring 07
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Fall 1998 - Spring 2003:
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Temporary Instructor of English 1997 - 1998:
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Professional Service
Ian F. Kesterson (untitled as of yet)PROFESSIONAL
Modern Language Association, Children’s Literature Division: Executive Board Member (2005-2010)
Modern Language Association, Children's Literature Division: Executive Board Member (2005-2010)
Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: Judge (2005-2007)
Children's Literature Association: 2006 Annual conference (Manhattan Beach, CA): Conference Planning Committee
Children's Literature Association: 2006 Annual conference (Manhattan Beach, CA): Paper Selection Committee
Children’s Literature Association: 2004 Annual conference (Fresno, CA): Paper Selection Committee
(Peer Reviewer) Oxford University Press
(Peer Reviewer) The Lion and the Unicorn: A Critical Journal of Children's Literature, edited by Jan Susina.
(Peer Reviewer) Children's Literature Association Quarterly, edited by Richard Flynn
(Peer Reviewer) Ashgate Publishing Company, Literary Studies Editor Ann Donahue
Service to San Diego State University
Committee Assignments, SDSU
Curriculum Committee, English and Comparative Literature (Fall 2008-Present)
Editor of SDSU’s children’s literature program’s newsletter (Fall 2007-Present)
Lecturers’ Review Committee, SDSU English and Comparative Literature Department. (Spring 2008)
Theses
SDSU, MA Thesis Reader:
Eddy Wu (Complete) “General Adult Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Comic Books in Education: Understanding the Difference Between Maus and Mickey”
Nathan Leaman (incomplete) “Sequential Art in Semiotics and in Literature”
Mark Young (untitled as of yet)SDSU, Honors Thesis Reader:
Service to California State University, Northridge (Campus Wide)
“Well I’ll Be Banned!—The 3rd Annual Celebration of the Freedom to Read.” California State University, Northridge. Jerome Richfield Room 202. Northridge, CA. Oct 4, 2006.
LRS (Liberal Studies) Gateway Fellow, California State University, Northridge. 2006-2009.
Banned Books Reading: Northridge Academy High School. Multipurpose Room. Northridge, CA. Sept. 29, 2006.Teachers for a New Era: High School Planning Group. California State University, Northridge. 2003-2005. (on-going)
"Well I'll Be Banned!--A Celebration of the Freedom to Read." (Organizer and Master of Ceremonies). Jerome Richfield, Room 319. California State University, Northridge. Sept. 21, 2005.
"Engaging Mortality"--Creative Writing Panel. (Panel Moderator). Earthly Privilege: Vividness in Writing: Associated Graduate Students in English (AGSE) Spring 2005 Conference. California State University, Northridge. April 30, 2005.
Teachers for a New Era: Committee Member--Syllabus Development for Residency Seminar One. California State University, Northridge. 2004.
"Well I'll Be Banned!--A Celebration of the Freedom to Read." (Organizer and Master of Ceremonies). Oviatt Library. California State University, Northridge. Sept. 21, 2004.
"The Facts about Fictional Kids: The State of Children's Literature Studies." (Panelist: with Jackie Stallcup & Charles Hatfield). Sponsored by CSUN Lectures/Special Events Committee. California State University, Northridge. March 3, 2004.
Service to California State University, Northridge (Departmental)
MA Thesis Director (completed, 2005): Ben Smallwood
MA Thesis Director (completed, 2005): Ara ShirinyanMA Thesis Reader:
Lisa Humphrey (completed Spring, 2004). Director: Jackie E. Stallcup.
Christine Diaz (completed Spring 2006). Director: Ian Barnard.
Dustin Lehren (completed Spring 2007). Director: Kate Haake.
Tracy Ruby (completed Spring 2007). Director: Kate Haake.
Liberal Arts Credential Interviews (on-going) Curriculum Committee, California State University, Northridge. 2006-2007.
Assessment Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2005-2006.
Composition Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2005-2007.
Graduate Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2004-2005.
Literature Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2004-2005.
Awards and Amenities Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2003-2004.
Literature Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2003-2005.
Graduate Committee. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2004-2005.
Faculty Research Group. English Department, California State University, Northridge. 2003-2005
ISU:
Graduate Student Association: English Graduate Student (Ph.D.) Representative, Illinois State University. 1998-1999; 2001-2002.
Graduate Employee's Issues Committee: Co-chair
Research/Professional Advancement Committee
Programming Committee
Finance Committee
Feminist Issues Committee: Graduate Student Representative, Illinois State University. 1999-2000.
Graduate Committee: Graduate Student Representative, Georgia Southern University. 1995-1997.
Awards and Honors
CSUN College of Humanities Faculty Fellows Fellowship. CSUN 2005 (three units of release time for research)
CSUN Faculty Research & Creative Activity Award. California State University, Northridge, 2004. (Three units release time)
Clarence W. Sorensen Distinguished Dissertation Award. Illinois State University, 2004. ($500.00)
Charter Department Graduate Student Excellence Award. Illinois State University, 2003.
Taimi Ranta Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Ph.D. Candidate. Illinois State University, 2001. ($1,000.00)
Tom Kuster Creative Writing Award. Illinois State University, 2001. ($500.00)
Anna Keaton English Scholarship. Illinois State University, 1999-2000. ($1,000.00)
Taimi Ranta Children's Literature Award. Illinois State University, 1999. ($1,000.00)
Illinois State University Foundation Fellowship. Illinois State University, 1998. ($1,000.00)
Professional Organizations
The Academy of American Poets, 1999-
African American Literature and Culture Society, 2004-
California Folklore Society, 2004-2005
Children's Literature Association, 1999-
International Society of Humor Studies, 2003-
Modern Language Association, 2001-National Council of Teachers of English, 2004-2005